Dajones

Try pork rinds!! No carbs and all protein!! Dip them in some queso! Also, I like Melba Toast (low in carbs and crunchy). To me, it wasn't so much what my new stomach could tolerate but I went into this to lose weight and tortilla chips are the ENEMY!! There's a new chip out there called a "Beanie" that is made from pinto, black or white Beans. It's high in Fiber, low in carbs and delicious! My mantra is add cheese!!

I went from a 44DD to a 34B! No more back pain! Hard to find 34B but I'm thrilled!!!

I had TWO drains from hell. Both were to drain Fluid build-up from two different areas around the new stomach. AND, I had them in for 10 days pre-op. They were both attached to "bulbs" hanging from tubes. I had to monitor the fluid they drained into the bulbs to make sure there was no blood. I emptied them both twice a day. I had trouble sleeping with them at first (roll over and they don't roll with you) but then I just taped them to my stomach. My surgeon is a Nazi though.

No one's business. I told a few people at work that I'm closest to. When others asked, I told them I'm on a 600-800 calorie per day diet and it's 99% Protein.

I'm 14 months post-op and still get the slimes almost daily. If I'm eating too fast or taking big bites, it comes on before I'm full. I looked into the mucus in your stomach issue and found some interesting info. You always have mucus in your stomach. It keeps the acids at bay and if you didn't have it, your stomach acids would eat your stomach lining. I've just learned to eat slow, chew well and take small bites. As a way to make myself eat slower, I'll fix a plate of food and leave it in the kitchen. I go in the kitchen every few minutes, take a bite, go back and sit down and chew and swallow. If I have the plate of food in front of me, I eat it too fast. This slows me down.

I'm 13 months post op and I can now look back and laugh at myself. I too was surprised by the gas pain but I am a true believer (now) that walking immediately afterwards helps tremendously. I've always been deathly afraid of needles (injections) and almost passed out when my post-op home care instructions involved giving myself Coumadin injections twice a day in the stomach. I did it though. I was disappointed that my surgeon installed two stomach drains that I had to keep for two weeks post-op at home. Trying to sleep with two tubes with bulbs attached coming out of your stomach was rough, but I did it! (hint: tape them to your stomach so they move with you) I've exceeded my weight-loss goal and I'm now trying to maintain. I weight myself weekly and decide to increase or decrease my bad carbs. Truthfully, I no longer enjoy eating. I eat to live. Previously, I lived to eat. Nothing tastes as good as I look and feel now and I wouldn't trade my sleeve for anything!

I've had to learn my pains and what they mean. If I eat too quick or a bite too much, I get a pain at the very top of my chest, really at the top of my throat. I force myself to throw up a little and it's all mucus and I'm better. This other pain starts in my rib cage in my back area on both sides and radiates to the front and centers itself in my chest, between my breasts. I also feel nauseous and start sweating a bit. I haven't had an "episode" now for about 3 weeks so I'm not doing anything about it. I can handle one a month and it's not debilitating pain. It's uncomfortable, but I'm not lying on the floor doubled up in pain. I had one in church a couple of months ago and I just sat there until it wore off. The feeling lasts about 10-15 minutes. I'm just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and what you've done.

I need some advice. I had the sleeve surgery on October 10, 2014. I had all the required pre-surgery testing and everything came back fine. On January 6, 2015, I had a pain that started in my back, around my rib cage and radiated toward the front and centered in my chest. I felt nauseous as well and started sweating profusely. I was taken to the ER by ambulance and tests came back indicating no heart attack. I've since had 3 more episodes (as I'm calling them), each several months apart. I went back to my surgeon for another follow-up and he sent me for a gallbladder ultrasound and a HIDA Scan. The ultrasound was fine but the HIDA Scan said my gallbladder was only "ejecting" 25% bile and 34% is ideal. I'm not willing to undergo another surgery and have it removed because I figure 25% is better than 0%!! He also sent me for a full cardiac work up that included an ultrasound of the heart and a stress test. I passed both with flying colors. The cardiologist actually said he wished his results were as good as mine. So, my chest pains are not cardiac related. Has anyone else experienced this type of pain and had results similar to mine? If yes, what have you done/would you do? I had another episode on Tuesday so they seem to be coming on a little more frequent. By the way, it's more of a discomfort rather than pain. I'm not hitting the floor doubled over in pain. Any advice?? In advance, thanks!

I'm one year and one week post-op and I'm down actually below my goal weight. One of the things I was surprised by was the vomiting the night after the morning surgery. The surgeon told me about it but I didn't think it would be that bad. It was like throwing up black tar. The stuff they make you drink for the leak test tasted like unsweetened lemonade with soap in it. Wasn't expecting that either. Had trouble peeing for two days after surgery. They said it was "anesthesia bladder" and it did get better the third day. Without a doubt, I would do it all over again and wished I'd done it 10 years ago. Best decision I've ever made. I have people I've known for 25 years walk right by me in the grocery store because they don't recognize me now. I've done all of my follow-up visits and all my bloodwork and tests have come back 100% great!

I'm about 10 months post-op and have been having feelings like a minor heart attack (chest pain and nausea but not debilitating). I saw my VSG surgeon a week ago and he is sending me for tests now and is indicating it's my gallbladder. ARGH!!!

I was originally told it would be a one night stay but my potassium level got very low and they kept me another night with a potassium drip in the IV.

My doctor is former military and very strict. He was ultra-conservative about my care. I have a friend that had the exact same surgery as me, a month later. Her doctor was not strict at all. A week post-op, she was eating cream of potato Soup. She showed me her doctors orders and it said nothing about Clear liquids then creamed liquids, then pureed foods, etc... She expected the surgery to be a magical procedure where she would instantly lose weight without modifying her diet and not exercising. As a result, I'm down 105 pounds and have met my goal weight. She's lost 35 pounds and blames in on her fibromyalgia, bad back, bad knee, blah, blah, blah....

I had sleeve surgery in October 2014 and I started losing my hair in February. Hair loss continued through May. My hairdresser suggested using Rogaine, the hair mousse. I've ALWAYS had thin hair my whole life. I've actually got thick hair now, thicker than ever. I highly recommend using Rogaine. I'm still using it! Get the generic if you can - much cheaper and it's the same product.

Your surgeon should help with this. I've heard all kinds of differing opinions on this. I'm allowed to take pills but a friend that had the same surgery, different surgeon, was told she can never take pills again. I was told by my surgeon to take one 20mg Omeprazole every morning, two Calcium with Vitamin D, one Super B Complex and one multi-vitamin. I take them all every morning. I began this regimen at two weeks out from surgery.

I had a drain for two weeks after surgery. I complained about it but my doctor said it was necessary in case there was a leak or a Fluid build up. He's ultra-cautious though.