CanyonBaby

I was told by my nurse team to make sure and call in about it (at the least) to see if I should come in, should I have a problem. If it were me, I would call in, minimum. Why take a chance? You paid for their advice and help. Not a good place to get an infection. Good luck and Merry Christmas to you!

I was sleeved on 12/3/14 and dinner was a CRUEL event, as I LOVE the smell of roasting poultry! Can't get it out of my head! Or is it my nose?! Since it is just my husband and myself, I made him a Cornish game hen, vertically roasted, and tiny new potatoes roasted in olive oil with S and P - his request since I really can't partake yet. However, I did take a thigh of the bird and pureed it-oh yum! Just the taste of the lemon pepper seasoning in the puree was enough to satisfy my need for that bird! No potatoes, no room. So sad, but it was good to have that little taste, and I am sated for now!

I wonder if having this type of surgery also affects the thyroid gland. One of the symptoms (major symptom for me before I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 1995) of hypothyroidism is hair loss, and for me it was by the clumps! Other symptoms include being cold, weight gain, and lethargy. I had all of those, as well. Apparently there are many people out there who have hypothyroidism who don't know they have it, as the symptoms creep up slowly, and sometimes there are no symptoms at all. A simple blood test at your doctor's office will tell you if you have it. I take a tiny pill every morning that takes care of my symptoms. Worth looking into if you think you may have it. I wonder if having hypothyroidism and having the sleeve surgery may enhance hair loss. I will be asking my GP when I see her in February. I'll also ask my surgeon (if I ever see him again!). Good luck all!

You are all beautiful, don't you know - we ALL have flaws, and if we look for them we WILL see them. We have been through a lot to get here. More than most could handle. But we did and do. Daily. If you could see the beautiful person that God, who made you, sees, you would be amazed! Love yourselves as He loves you, you won't be disappointed! Merry Christmas!

I had the same surgeries on Dec. 3, 2014. And yes, you are right on track! You are healing, and it hurts to heal. It took a little over 2 weeks for me to swallow more than 1 sip at a time, I' up to 4 now, small ones. No pain anymore, just the sense of "enough is enough!". It should completely go away, I've been told, but everyone is different and heals at different times, so it's hard to say when you will be healed. If it doesn't improve, or gets worse, or even if you're concerned,call your doctor. Good luck and Merry Christmas

I am so glad for you! I missed out on Thanksgiving (surgery was Dec 30), but we did an early one. I will miss the treats this year for Christmas and New Year's, as I'm strictly on puree, but I can wait. Enjoy your time off and Merry Christmas!

I felt good, as well, and still do albeit a little tired from time to time. Also emotional from time to time, but that's natural. You've been through a lot, physically and emotionally, for lest we forget we just parted with part of our body-a part that has comforted us for years (some of us more than others!!!). I think we may even be grieving for that lost "friend". I am happy for you and for all that did this for themselves - Merry Christmas to us!

I like muscletech, the flavors are good, and they have an unflavored version. I also like to add peppermint extract (just a tiny drop) to my choc. drink, makes it better. There are other extracts out there (almond, maple, orange, lemon...)that would work with the vanilla. Use your own discretion, it may not agree with you. I get my powders on Amazon.com, as I live in a very rural area. My area stores don't carry a lot of variety. Good luck to you and Merry Christmas!

I use muscletech, found it on Amazon.com. Has 25g per scoop. Also, my dietician suggested adding a spoonful of onfat dry milk powder to food or drinks for added protein. Not sure of the protein content, but it helps me. Good luck and Merry Christmas!

Have you tried the unflavored protein powders? You can mix it in water, it has a little flavor, but not much. You can also mix it in your broth or soups or other flavored drinks. It is thick, but the brand I use (muscletech) to me is better than the premade drinks. I get it on Amazon.com, there are different size containers available. If you don't like it so thick, you can dilute it more, but then you won't get the full 25g of protein, unless you drink more. Each serving (6oz) is 100 calories. So if you can get down 3 glasses, you will do 75g of protein. I know everyone different needs for their protein, but this is working for me. Also, it has been suggested that taking biotin as a supplement might help with the hair loss issue, which might be related to lack of protein in your diet, but don't think it will take the place of protein-it won't. Take your protein! There are dissolvable biotin formulas available. Good luck and Merry Christmas!

It's actually been a few rough days, emotionally. Yesterday was my best dog's first year's passing anniversary (lost 2 more dogs within 6 months of that - all were very old). My husband, who has taken a few weeks off to help me through the surgery, is DRIVING ME NUTS (bless his heart, he is hovering!). Does anyone else seem overly moody after this surgery? I'm normally not this bad, and I've heard fat retains hormones, that when the fat is lost the hormones are released into the system-NOT what I need right now! Help!

Thanks, all. Today is not only another day, but a better day, and I'm thankful for your support. It's nice to know we can count on our pals here to bolster us up when the chip are down. And up, as well! Merry Christmas, everyone!

I am so proud of you! Your faith has truly seen you through, and He is keeping you on the right track, and in all ways! Hang tight with Him and He will see you through, always! Good luck and God Bless you, too! Merry Christmas!

If it is very bothersome, and especially if it is really red and "angry"-looking, check with your doctor. Infection is not a good thing!

I don't know if I'll be much help, since I only had the sleeve done, and that was on the 3rd of December of this year. I am doing really well, and am ecstatic about my success. I have lost 28lbs, and I can really SEE the pounds coming off. What do you need to know? The surgery was the least painful of all the surgeries I've had, and the recovery was simple, albeit maybe a little boring considering what we are allowed to "eat"! Let me know what you need to know about, I'd be glad to help. Good luck and God Bless you. Merry Christmas! PS. I'm from Spokane, Washington.

Spokane, Washington

Like the other writer said, there are other sources of protein like unflavored powders you can add to your beverage of choice...I found Amazon.com has some varieties. Also, my dietician suggested adding dry milk powder to whatever to get in extra protein, and I do. It actually mixes well into soups, casseroles, drinks...just a spoonful or so. Good luck and Merry Christmas!

I know this isn't typically done, but because my hands are IMPOSSIBLE to find a vein in, I always have the inside of my elbow used for the IV. It isn't as painful, I do have the lidocaine injection, as it seems the nurses really have felt it was necessary as the needle is larger, but I don't think it is necessary. Don't look. The needle stuff used to really bother me as well, I used to hate to get shots. But I've had so many (21 surgeries to date), they really are insignificant. Try to think of something to distract yourself while it's happening, it goes really fast. I've had no problem when I tell them to use my inner elbow, just an idea. Good luck to you and let us know how it goes. God bless and Merry Christmas!

You all are so awesome, great work! This has been, for me anyway, the best support site I have found. good luck to you and Merry Christmas!

Thanks, is this the voice of experience?! I'd like it just to be over , you know? I mean the hormones...hey, I've done the menopause thing already, husband definitely doesn't need that trip again! Merry Christmas!

You guys will do great, it's the first step (ok, maybe the second or third after you preop diets...) to a wonderful future! You are in my prayers...Merry Christmas!

Thanks, anything to help...Merry Christmas

Amen to all of the above! I wanted to weigh less than my husband...TODAY I DO!!!!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME AND TO YOU!!!

Oh what a heartache, and I can seriously feel your frustration. I actually did self-pay since I knew that my insurance (who demanded 6 month nonsensical pre-crap "We're not gonna let you do it anyway" )would bail out last minute after I did everything. They do that- mine does, anyway. So we dug around and financed it ourselves, cuz it is worth every penny. But hang in there, I firmly believe everything happens for a reason and in the time it was meant to happen, even though we may not be able to see the reason now. If you can, be patient and try to focus on the after-life once your surgery is done. Start planning what you can do, where you can go what you will wear once it's all said and done. In the meantime, continue on as you have been, and know that it'll help all you have already done. Good luck to you and Merry Christmas!

I guess I would just suggest that no matter how tempting it might be, don't fall into the same trap (when you see him again, in your newly slim body!!!) of caring what he thinks or says. Someone who said what he did is not a keeper, and besides, it's time to go fishing! Have some fun and check out what's out there. Gosh, I sound like a mom! Merry Christmas and good luck to you!