no onions

I was concerned about air in my stomach after surgery as well and made the decision to not use the machine while in the hospital. The surgeon said I should use it. I did start using the machine again at home and googled how to adjust the pressure. I'm not recommending that you do that, but it did work for me. The machine adjusts within a range, if necessary and so far I feel like I'm sleeping ok. The diagnostic on the machine is showing few apnea events and the pressure seems to stay in the 13 range. Don't be afraid to ask your medical team any question.

I don't care for beer and soda I can take or leave. I'm on purées and can eat very very little - like 3 tbsp tonight - so I cannot even imagine eating pizza. It doesn't even sound good to me, though it may again someday. @@VSGAnn2014 makes the good point about not eating and drinking at the same time. From what I can tell that seems to be one of the most consistent rules. I hesitate to say all surgeons follow it, but I've yet to see anyone say otherwise.

@@Kindle Colonoscopy prep is so disgusting that anyone would gag. I still can remember the thick lemon-lime (supposedly) flavored drink that I had to consume. I swear it was a gallon jug. I've never experienced a Protein drink quite that bad yet.

@@BizzyB I'm having better luck w/ Water intake if I use a bottle that has an opening about the size of an aquafina water bottle. I had been using my nice contigo bottle, but something about the wide mouth and how much I'm drinking doesn't work well. The smaller mouth on the aquafina bottle helps enforce smaller sips for me. I know this sounds kind-of dumb, but maybe it will help you too.

I didn't really have them until after the barium swallow/gastrografin test. It's take a few days to go away - today looks to be more promising (less toilet time anyway).

I think it's somewhat of an acquired taste. I've tried Icy Orange and the Coconut and they are both ok. Don't make the mistake of "smelling" before you drink it (that applies to any Protein drink/shake, if you ask me). I thought the coconut flavor tasted a little sweet the other day so I cut it with Water. Perhaps that would help you?

I was sleeved this morning. Adjusting to the new feelings and some pain. Will post more details later. I think I'm doing ok though!

Tonight was my first night of purées. I had 2.5 tbsp of chicken blended with mayo and cottage cheese and about 2 tbsp of apple sauce. It took me about 1.5 hours to eat it (slow like a tortoise) with the goal of avoiding unpleasantness. My plan suggests anywhere between 4-6 tbsp max per meal for the next two weeks.

Hi all - had my xray testing today and all is well (no leaks) and I've been advanced to delicious purées of my own choosing. All of that said, did anyone else get diarrhea and gas as result of your swallow test? My digestive tract has been vocal (grumbly) and active (take another seat) most of the day. Thanks in advance.

Thank you @AvaFern. :-) I've healed enough that the laughter(from your post) didn't hurt too bad!

Overall, my surgery went well according to my surgeon and his team. I spent time as a total fruit loop in the recovery room. I specifically remember someone saying what pain level are you experiencing and I sad, "yes." So I'm slightly on the other side of that feeling. I spent two nights in the hospital and the dry mouth was pretty extreme, but tolerable. Any nausea was minimal and I've been fortunate to not vomit yet (knock on wood). Things I've noticed and what I attribute them to - 1. When I swallow a liquid (very small sips), I gurgle a little and sometimes feel pressure. I discussed it with the hospital team and will attribute it to being swollen. Hopefully that works itself out in the next few days. 2. Swallowing pills is kind-of a bitch. I've been prescribed percocet, famotidine, stool softener, Calcium citrate (non chewable) and a Multivitamin (also non chewable). I've switched out the nutritional support to chewable items. 3. The percocet helps me sleep and keeps me from worrying about pulling wounds apart. I've taken the stool softener twice with good results. The famotidine, I'm taking twice a day and assume it is doing what it needs to do. 4.Gas - I really didn't feel any gas pain outside of my abdomen. It never migrated to my shoulder, etc. It hasn't been terribly severe and I've been doing a lot of sipping and walking just to make sure I avoid issues. 5. Hiccups Things I worry about - 1. dehydration - I drink and eat so little, though I do try and have been doing better each day. I almost stayed in the hospital an extra day because of my concern. 2. proper nutrition - I know that as my healing progresses, I will be able to consume appropriate amounts of Protein and calories - but it's still a worry. 3. using my CPAP - I lost about 20lbs prior to surgery and noticed waking up bloated with air in my stomach a couple of mornings. I'm concerned that my pressure could be too high ( ranges from 12 - 17 and adjusts accordingly). My big fear is somehow causing a leak or popping the sleeve by introducing a bunch of CPAP air. My surgeon advised me to use the CPAP, so I'm going to try it tonight. Things I wouldn't do again - 1. I wouldn't have insisted on walking into the grocery store on the way home from the hospital. I felt like a had to have some things and the walking about was taxing. I looked, for several moments, at the motorized carts. Those probably shouldn't be driven under the influence either.

@@bookworm Check into Cholestyramine - it has reversed many of my post gall bladder bathroom problems. I know what you're talking about with the need to know where restrooms are.

I think I would compare the nutrition labels and see which is better for you. Personally, I'm looking at sugar right now. Some of those yogurts are crazy high.

I do not like the taste of the Unjury Chicken Soup. I'm glad I only purchased s few packs. I would encourage others to try it though because it could just be my palate.

This is why I cannot weigh daily. In the past I would weigh multiple times per day and the head games it creates are just not worth it. Pick an interval (for weighing) that works for you. Keep in mind that the overall trajectory (loss) is on a downward slope - you will continue to make great progress that may not show up daily or weekly.

This is tough and I'm sorry you are going through it. Having had my own (earlier in life) gallbladder problems, I wouldn't recommend waiting to have something done about it - the pain can go from nothing to 200 for seemingly no reason. Though I had my own removed in college (like 20 years ago), my understanding is that many people who have WLS surgery develop gallbladder issues. If you're having WLS surgery and know about it now, why opt for two recoveries by having something done later? I would have it all taken care of at once. That's my opinion with the following caveats - a. I don't know your financial situation and b. you should talk to the surgeon (if you haven't already) as he or she might have some helpful advice.

I haven't had the problem where I've been grouchy and people offered me the advice of "go back to eating." Anyone who has that to say can jump in a lake (of acid). That said I've given people in my household permission to call me out if I get crazy-grouchy-nasty. The goal being to make me stop and think before I continue. It hasn't been necessary yet.

Ok - I have no idea if the internet remedies are good or not, but I could never see myself placing raw onion on my body. Sincerely, no onions. :-)

I lost about 20lbs on the pre-op(non liquid) 1400 calorie per day diet. I weighed at the beginning and at my Dr's appt. I have had a real issue with weighing too often (in the past) and successfully avoided that (so far) this time.

This is most definitely on my list. Though it would have been on a "what the hell, this sounds weird" list a few weeks ago. My first follow-up is tomorrow and I hope that I am cleared for puréed foods.

I think what you've said about is really one of the best ways to have a conversation, if you choose to have it. I would simply reiterate all of it directly. If your friends are friends at all, they will respond accordingly to the energy you put out there on the topic. Best of luck to you.

I know everyone has different taste buds - but this drink (coconut flavor), I will buy a case of it. I prefer it over the icy orange by a mile. I have several more flavors to try, but this one is a winner (for me). I think it will actually help me meet my Protein requirements tomorrow. http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/p/nature-best-isopure-isopure-rtd-coconut-12-drinks/np-1189#.VYoXEPlVhBc

I didn't have a drain nor did they do a catheter. My surgeon said he does drains for a number of reasons, one of which is prior abdominal area surgery. I've had gallbladder surgery many years ago, so I thought a drain could be possible.

(7 days out of surgery) I will be calling my Dr tomorrow morning, but wanted to throw this out there. My hands have felt kind of tingly a few times today. I'm not nearly where I need to be with Protein and probably lower on my liquid intake. I'm doing better with both each day, but the hypochondriac/worrier inside is making me extra cautious about the speed/quantity of consuming anything. I will do anything to avoid vomiting/discomfort. I'm good (compliant) on all my Vitamins and prescriptions.

Thanks all for the replies - quick update here. I did talk to the nurse yesterday and she suggested (as I suspected) that fluids will help. I worked really hard at upping my Fluid intake and Protein yesterday and have not experienced the tingly hands or lightheaded feeling (which I failed to mention in my original post). I woke up this morning super-early - that's a new one for me. Hoping maybe a trend, would love to be just a bit more of a morning person. :-)