Tauruslady5

The pain in my mouth was actually Thrush that went from my mouth, to my throat, to my new tummy. It felt like razor blades when swallowing anything. I hated it.

Danielle. First of all, you have to do this for you. I watched you-tube videos over and over just so I can see what was going to happen. I was great and excited up until the day of surgery. I knew exactly what I was going to have done, what I had to do in order to make this work. Just remember.....it is a tool, the surgeon is doing surgery on your tummy not your brain, and lastly, they are making you a new "BABY" tummy. You have to start off with formula (liquid), then move to mushy food (baby food), and then graduate to each level just as a baby does. The tissues in your stomach are still able to stretch and bring you right back where you were from the start. It is up to you to make this work, not anyone else. Yes, we are here to give advice when needed or just to get some ideas as to what you can or cannot eat. What I have realized is that each state and each surgeon is different. I have also noticed on this site, people are sometimes judgmental and harsh. (Just let those go and focus on the positive) Here in CT, our surgeons have us for the first 2 weeks only 100% liquids, week 3-6 mushy food, 7wk plus you learn to eat smaller portions and in all...it does work, and you don't feel hungry. As for the loose skin. I would rather be a healthier weight then worry about my extra skin. Who cares, I know I don't. I didn't do this to worry about my skin. I wanted to become more healthier for my grand-daughter and daughters. Oh by the way, I will be 50 in May and I love my decision. Right now the only exercise I can do, per my APRN is walk at a fast pace. I go back on the 20th of this month and hopefully she will tell me I can do more extensive exercise. I have a year to make myself down to the wieght I want. (150 pounds and ( am 5'7). I am proud that you have made this decision to become healthier. Being you are only 24 is great that you realized your problem now than later. As for the pain, hunger, or any other problems after surgery, to each their own. I had Thrush for 2 weeks, my stomach hurt only when I swallowed, but it was because of the Thrush not the surgery. So I cannot eat 3 oz of food yet, my body will tell me when I am ready. Take your time and ENJOY this ride............................((((HUGGS))) Annamarie from Connecticut.

Are you just doing 3 Protein shakes a day? I was not able to even do a Protein shake. For the first 2 weeks post-surgery, I was only able to do liquid only. No food whatsoever. But what I have realized is each surgeons/state does it differently. To date I have now lost 64 pounds. I am so excited. After the two weeks of liquid only, I then was able to do mushy food but only 2 teaspoonfulls every 2 hours. I also made sure I drank my Water between. Remember no water 30 mintues before a meal or 30 minutes after a meal. Hope this helps.

I had my surgery on 11/21/14. I have not even succeeded eatting 300-400 calories a day. I try, but my stomach I guess is just not ready. I eat about 2 oz of food every 3 hours if that. Sometimes I have to force myself to eat something because I am not hungry. My starting weight was 300 pounds and right now I weight 249.5. I am proud of the work I have succeeded at so far. What I am suppose to do is eat 3 meals of 300 calories each and 3 Snacks at 100 calories each. I will eventually get there, but I am only a little over a month out. Happy New Years to you also.

I had my surgery on 11/21. My first weighted was done on my two-week visit with the doctor. Then I am doing every Monday morning. I use the scale at work because it is the same type at my doctors.

I was the same. I had to eat something every 2 hours, so I did use string cheese, applesauce, etc. I especially loved having the refried Beans w/some shredded cheese on top. I would only do 2 oz of that.. Made my tummy feel full.

Not a horrible topic..... I was sleeved on 11/21 and did not have a BM until probably Mid-December. Being that I was only doing liquids, nothing was coming out. When I started to eat some mushy type foods, I would poop a little (I mean a little). I now take a softener because they do not want us to strain to go to the bathroom. I may have a BM once a week if that now. So it is not a bad topic. Maybe you and I both will get some good advice as to what to do to make it happen more. Happy New Year's.

My sister was in with me until it was time for my surgery. At that time, I actually walked to the Operating Room, which I felt was a good thing because I remained relaxed. While in there I looked at the clock and it was 9am, they were hooking me up for the sleeping meds and then I awoke in recovery. Was a quick time and I was not alone long. Annamaire

After I posed it, the "tickler" appeared up by my name. I now have one..........thanks Happy New Year

Hi. Those surgeons who have performed many of these operations do not use them because there is no medical reason to do this. I have read others who stated their surgeons did not use them either. Those surgeons who were not so trained seemed to use the drain. I am thankful I did not get it, I heard it hurts to be pulled out and would not want to go through that pain. Annamarie

I, too, just looked for that and it was not there. How do I get it? I use a laptop computer.

I cried day 3-5. I had no energy....no one explained to me that this would happen. If I had known in advance, it would have been much easier. Also, can anyone tell me how I can get that cute little BMI/Weight marker that most have at the bottom of their post? Thanks.

Here is my question to your question: My surgeon stated there was no medical reason to have a drain tube, why is your surgeon doing one? Have you asked this question to him/her?

I am at 7-weeks out as of today. I am just able to start introducing new foods. Week 1-2 was liquids only (no food intake at all). Weeks 3-6 were mushy foods only (maybe 200 calories per day). Our calorie intake now is anywhere between 200-400 daily. Maybe it is what state you are from but it seems alot of individuals on this site have a "drain site", eat food way too early after surgery, staples/steri-strips or glue plus many other differences. Surgeries ranged anywhere from 40 minutes to 5 hours depending upon what was being performed. What I did notes is that we all went through the 3-4 day post op depression/crying. Which made me feel good because I only thought it was me. To date I have lost 50 pounds and loose about 3 pounds per week now. I am able to start doing more intense exercise minus stomach crunches. Have a happy and healthier 2015..............

It seems like alot of people also had a drain site. My surgeon did not do that either. Why would they do that when there is absolutely no medical reason to do that? I ask my surgeon this before my surgery and that was his answer.

Remember they did surgery on your stomach not your brain. So you now need to train your brain when you should eat. My daughter would always tell me to sip Water because it usually means you need water and not food. try that. After my surgery, I had NO appetite. I didn't even like drinking water. I stopped doing the Protein drink because my new stomach said "NO WAY". It made me feel yukky, so I have not had a Protein Drink since 11/22/14. By the way......Happy New Year and New Life 2015. You will have an amazing journey......

No bandages here. They used a special purple glue that came off within one week. I am in CT, where is everyone else from that they had staples and bandages?

Glad to see you did okay. So you had to do an extra few days in hospital. It was worth it. Congrats on the 7 pounds. Wasn't as bad as you anticipated. I will warn you that in a couple days you may cry or become overwhelmed thinking this was the wrong decision. It will pass. Also, the pain you feel in your chest, arms is from the gas they put into you stomach. Best way to help with that is walk, walk, walk. It, too, will go away. Take it easy and enjoy your new life. Happy New Year's.

I am assuming you made sure your insurance paid for this operation. I have only received a 200 co-pay for the surgeon, a 200 co-pay for my hospital stay and a 35.00 nurse visit charge for my 2-week f/u. If you are receiving bills, and your insurance was to pay, then you need to get ahold of them because they need to make sure they put in the correct codes. Annamarie

Hi. Sorry to hear about the gas pain. Here is what I was told to do and it worked great. I had 2 teaspoons every 2 hours. I would take those two bites slowly meaning, I would take one teaspoon then put my spoon down for one minute, then take the next spoonful. Then I would put the plate away and in 2 hours do it again. I never felt hungry at all. After awhile, my tummy knew when 2 hours was coming because I could feel it. You have to keep it up and train your brain. I had my surgery 11/21 and I am still on mushy food, but just this week did I start to even try 1/4 cup of food. Annamarie

Ohhhhh heck yeah. By the 3rd and 4th day after surgery, I was crying so much it was killing me. I ended up talking for hours to one of my friends who had the surgery. She made me feel better and told me it was normal to feel this way. I wanted to put up my Chirstmas decorations and I would move aund for about 2 minutes, and then have to sit down to catch my breath. No one ever told me during my pre-op that this was going to happen. I make sure I tell everyone what really goes on. Don't worry, it will go away. Walking helped me. Annamarie.

Hi. So I had my surgery on 11/21/14. To date I have lost 50 pounds. When I started eatting after my 2-week f/u, I was allowed to only eat 2 tsp every 2 hours. I did this until about last weekend. I now eat 1/4 (2oz) every three hours. I eat at 6:30/9:30/12:30/3:30/6:30. I do not feel hungry. Remember, your doctor only did surgery on your stomach and NOT YOUR BRAIN. If you want this to work, you need to really watch what you eat and ask yourself "Do I really want to have that food". I, too, have eatten until my stomach hurt, but after a few times, I decided it was not worth it. So I now think when I eat, I take a bite, put my spoon down for 1 minute, then I take another bite. I am making my BRAIN realize I am full, not my stomach anymore. Good luck, you can do this. If you worked this hard to reach this point, then you will continue to do what you want until you SUCCEED. Annamarie

Hi. I was totally honest from day 1. It is not normal to loose 30 pounds in one month. If co-workers have a problem or give bad comments. Remember it is their problem not yours. What you did was for you and no one else. You made the decision to become healthier. Just remember, don't give food advise to them. I will not tell anyone what to eat or not to eat. They have made their choice on their livestyle just like WE made our new choice. Congrats on your success and you have lots more to go and will be amazing when completed your goal. Have a sparkling day

Here is my only suggestion to you. Have them inject the HEPARIN in your stomach. This way you do not have the hugh busing. It did not hurt there either. I ended up staying an extra night because all I wanted to do was sleep. I did not drink alot of fluids after I left the hospital. I did, however, keep a bottle with me at all times because I did not want to become dehydrated (which is very easy after you are discharged). You will do fine. Just relax and realize you have made the right decision to start a new you. Annamarie