BLERDgirl

I barely look my age now When I lose I look younger and shorter. I'm 51 btw.

Most don't want post-ops using straws. It might be best not to get used to drinking with them at all.

I use an infusion pitcher and put whatever fruits or veg in I like.The taste change is subtle but refreshing. In the summer I do a cucumber/fresh mint/ginger combo.

Why waste vaulable space on a slider, non nutritious beverage? Post-op it's enough of a challenge to get in healthy fluids. As mentioned above the carbonation is not good for your belly.

Just check with your doctor about the straw. Most do not want you using them post-op. They pull extra air into your tummy. Your new tummy won't have enough space to accommodate that.

Or coconut water if you want to go all natural. FYI - Mine was really dark almost tea colored for a long time. I'd say from week 2 to about week 6. As I transitioned to regular food and drank mostly water it lightened up.

Being able to put something more substantial in my tummy made all the difference in the world. That first soft egg took forever to eat, but it was soo good!

There's something called a Venus Freee treatments. I had heard about it and asked one of the makeup groups I belong to. Surprisingly mostly positive reviews. If they offer it in your area you might be able to go in for a consultation.

I used Scarfade gel on my facial shingle scars. It's pricey but I had an unopened tube because the company sent me and extra one. I tend to keloid so I knew I would have some scaring. I started using it when my incisions scabbed over and I' still using it. So far all but 2 of my incisions are practically invisible. All are noticeably flatter than they were.

I eat fruit but I eat whole fruit where you also get fiber and other nutrients. I rarely drink fruit juices. I have never had dumping syndrome and @@AvaFern description of it sounds horrible. I can say I have had a pain free, issue free journey so far and I contribute that to following my nutritionist instructions closely. I don't want to do anything now that could possibly set me up for problems further down the road.

Yep I was taking it sublingual as well and my levels were high. I've been instructed to only take it once a week now. As to OP - your experience doesn't sound unusual. I know women who get monthly B2 shots to regulate their menstrual cycle.

I was like this. I woke up with no pain. My first conscious thought was I had to go pee. I was able to get out of the bed unassisted and into a wheelchair cause I was NOT going in a bed pan. When they wheeled me to the bathroom I practically ran to the toilet. I've hurt worse after my first attempt at pilates.

You mean you have folds of fat on your labia? I assume that can be taken care of with a lower body lift. There is also vaginal rejuvenation surgery but I'm not sure if that includes the external bits like the labia. I wouldn't be surprised though.

Take it slow. As the anesthesia and pain meds wear off you'll be more awake. However make the best of when you are awake and walk. When you're not walking, sip. Isopure or water, get your fluids and protein in.

Yes is does matter that it's calcium citrate not carbonate. Biologically, calcium from foods and some types of dietary supplements must become ionized in an acid medium in order to be absorbed in the small intestine. In bariatric patients, certain forms of calcium such as calcium carbonate (found in many over-the-counter vitamins) are not likely to be well-absorbed after surgery because they require interaction with hydrochloric acid which is limited after common procedures. After bariatric surgery, there is less contact of food with stomach acid, making it difficult to absorb calcium carbonate. For this reason, calcium citrate is generally recommended after bariatric surgery to support absorption. Also your fruit smoothies are a no-no. Especially early on. Why? Because for bariatric patients you are dealing with smaller tummy space. Your priorities are Protein then Fluid then veg. and maybe fruit. As fruit smoothie that may be too much sugar for your body to process. If your body doesn't process sugar it turns to fat. fruit juice is not necessarily a no no. Some people use 50% diluted fruit juice to get their fluids in but you need to keep in mind fruit is number 4 in the needs hierarchy. Your priority is protein & fluids, preferably Water. As for vitamins/supplements I do take them all day. My schedule is as follows: AM - Multivitamin, D3, Biotin Mid-Morning - Calcium Citrate+D Mid-afternoon - Calcium Citrate+D, Omeprazole PM - Multivitamin, D3, Biotin, Zyrtec-D On Sundays at noon I take B12 sublingual I also took colace for 30 days post-op

Myfitnesspal? I'm on there. Accepting only friends who share their diary. Just let me know you're from here. Username: Milaxx

I see you've decided to go forward with the sleeve surgery. Good for you. I am nearly twice your age and really wish I had done this years ago. If it matters any, not everyone has complications or difficulties with the surgery. I had none. Not even gas. So congratulations on making a smart decision.

Sounds like you're doing well.

You can do all liquids/protein shakes for 2 weeks and lose those pounds, my question is are you really ready for surgery? This is not about crash dieting. This is about a lifestyle change. You admittedly over indulged over the holidays knowing your insurance requirements. 10 lbs isn't from the occasional cookie. So say you drop the weight and have surgery. Are you going to be able to handle the post op diet or will you be one of those who eat the wrong thing and get sick?

I rested and walked, but by the end of week 1 I was bored silly. At my 2 week follow up I was cleared to drive and that helped. Week 3 my incisions had scabbed and I returned to the pool. If you have an uneventful recuperation there will be some boredom. Just focus on getting your fluids and protein in. The time will pass soon enough.

Straws are bad because you take in too much air. This was covered in my nutrition class. I was cleared to use straws at my 6 week check up but I would not recommend it for a newly sleeved person. As for you first question a lot of this is covered in the thread about everyone protocol is different. Do a search, you'll find tons of information there.

Not enough water. Once you get enough water in it should lighten up.

I don't. This is a life altering surgery. You are physically changing your body. There are so many people simply not ready and a few people who have ED's or are on the verge of ED's. I think it's a sensible safeguard. Honestly I wish it was a requirement for self pay patients as well.

Do a search for protein. There are a zillion shakes/ RTD/liquid proteins you could try.

Your rule does sound complicated. I was instructed to have a 30 min window on each side of eating. Simply put you don't want to eat and drink together. Like @@Elode I start with a glass of Water when I wake up. However my recommendation was 64 ounces of Fluid. Most days I drink a 20 ounce Protein smoothie for Breakfast with anywhere from 30 -38 gms of protein in it. I then drink between 40 - 48 ounces of water through out the day. All total I get 60 -68 ounces of fluid in. Perhaps review your diet with your nutritionist. You obviously need an adjustment in things if your are dairy intolerant.