dragonfly78

Hello all! I had my sleeve on 9/3/15. I decided to tell my work family, blood family and I even posted a blog for those who wanted to follow it. https://thedawningofanewday.wordpress.com/ I decided there is no reason to hide it. I am not ashamed at this point. This is a harder journey than anyone knows....if you do what you're supposed to and stick by the plan. Most everyone has been greatly supportive through this journey so far. I am halfway to my weight loss goal already, and I'm feeling great about everything at this point. Don't feel ashamed! You need the support! Have a positive attitude and others will respond to that. Best of luck on your journey!

As of day #15, I was allowed regular textured protein except red meat, which will be allowed at day 30. Here is a picture of my diet plan.

I found making an egg over medium so the yolk breaks is so much more smooth and flavorful. The sausage surprised me going down as well as it did. I've had an issue with ground chicken as it's rubbery and an issue with reheated grilled chicken since it dried out a little. I got some nice moist turkey from Boston market today and some chicken soup, very brothy and did really well. It's nice to find some good variations to have now.

Awesome pindoctor! I'm so glad to say the yesterday and today have been much more successful with intake at my 3 meals and protein shake. I ventured out with my husband and daughter today and had half an egg over medium and a small piece of sausage at Bob Evans. We went out to Applebee's for dinner and I order the chicken grillers from the kids menu (just have to tell them you had surgery) and I was able to get in about 3 ounces of the moist grilled chicken. It is possible to still participate in the real world occasionally, even at a few weeks post op!

Hi all! I am 2 weeks post op VSG as of today. I did the 14 day all protein shake diet pre-op and that was it because I didn't go through insurance. As of today, I am down a total of 22 pounds! My diet was straight into soft foods on day 3-14 and now I can add in regular textured protein with one protein shake per day. I am definitely struggling with getting in the amounts, so I'm around 300-400 calories and 50 ounces of fluids but I am doing well, working from home and not dehydrated so I am taking it all in stride. I think I was mentally prepared ahead of time, especially being in the medical field so I haven't had any big regrets. Do I know I'll miss certain foods? Of course but that is human with breaking a 36 year habit. The one thing I have had is the excess saliva leading to foods feeling "stuck" in the lower chest area and then puking the glob (as I call it) up. It's not all the time, but I find hot broth helps. Best of luck to all and just focus on why you are going down this road and how much better you will feel soon!

I would definitely say no, not at this point however I want to point out that week 3 is not always pureed foods. Every surgeon is different. I started soft foods on day 3-14 which includes things like yogurt, cottage cheese, tuna, eggs and even ground turkey as long as it's chewed very well. I am on day 10 post op and doing very well with all of these items. Day 14 I get to move into regular textured foods in 2-3 ounce portions and I'm so happy to have more options. Again, everyone is on a different plan, but I think the biggest thing is don't push yourself into anything that could cause you harm or discomfort. It's not worth it. Patience will pay off in the end.

@@pindoctor I love my nutribullet, although I haven't been pureeing foods at this point. I have been sticking to either greek yogurt, small curd cottage cheese (I got the Breakstone in the individual cups) and I've done a couple eggs while just chewing the eggs and cottage cheese well before swallowing. Thankfully I only have to take one small pill twice per day along with any pain pill that I need so I have been able to take them with sips of water (weird sensation feeling the pill do down all the way now). I am looking forward to using the Nutribullet for more "involved" protein shakes in the near future. My surgeon's nurse gave me a sheet with some great recipes. It has been amazing how you really do feel full after only a few bites. I am looking to my next stage of foods, which is day 14-30, when I move into 2-3 ounces of regular textured proteins per meal (other than red meat) and a couple bites of soft canned or fresh fruit. Oh, and I can add beans, so I am planning on making a ground turkey chili!! <a href='http://www.bariatricpal.com'><img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/tickers/261346-dragonfly78/bodyweight.png?ts=1441924669' /></a>

I was told protein shakes do count towards the fluids. Also jello, popcicles and of course broths. I am one week post-op and taking in as much fluids as possible, but I know it isn't 64 ounces. As long as you are urinating frequently and doing the best you can, that's all you can do.

@@pindoctor sounds like we are on about the same time line. Sept 3 surgery date here and down 14 pounds total as of this morning. I consider that a win for the past 20 days. I am going to get y hair done and venture out tomorrow and get some small Tupperware cups as I decided this would be easiest to control the portions. Sounds like you're doing great! Keep it up!

Hello! Heather from Tampa here! I will be 37 next month and today is my first full at home day post-op VSG. I had my surgery 4 hours South in Boca Raton Area by Dr. Shillingford. I have a medical background, so I understand most of what is going on and understand it, but it still doesn't change the fact that I am actually living it. The biggest issue I am having right now is the swollen abdomen and gas that is left to come out. I am on Percocet for pain, every 4 hours. They wanted me on a liquid pain med, but I do not tolerate that well, so it was either deal with a pill or throw up the liquid, so of course we opted for the pills. I had a rough day after surgery when I threw up the contrast dye for the Upper GI Series that is done to check for leaks. That created a lot more tightness in the abdominal muscles and more pain that I would have most likely been in. I am taking in as much liquid as I can. My doctor does a pureed diet day 3-14, so my day has gone like this so far: slept on the couch in a mostly sitting position. Woke up at 2am and 6am for pain meds. Had some nausea do I drank some caffeine free hot tea (a few sips) which calmed the nausea, and I took my Protonix. At 7:30am, I ate about 1 ounce of Fage greek yogurt (strawberry). 10:00am - got in about 4.5-5 ounces of Protein shake (I highly recommend Beverly UMP chocolate btw). 10:40 had another pain pill. I took a nap from 11:00-12:40. 12:45 I ate about 2 ounces of plain cottage cheese. I like plain cottage cheese, so this did not bother me at all. So far, so good, I am waking around he house fairly often, but not overdoing it. I am urinating easily and still burping. I am not passing much gas from the other end at all, but I think that will take some more time. I have Gas-X and hoping that will help some too. On another note, because of the swelling, I am back up a few pounds from what my surgery day weight was, so I am not trying to focus on that right now. I know it will move once the first week is out of the way. So that is my summary so far. Any thoughts on how long the swelling and gas actually lasted for others would be great!

Thanks smileygal!

Thanks! With my back issues and extreme Reflux (I have Barretts Disease) I cannot lie flat or on my stomach, as this does make it worse, but this could be great info for another member so thank you for sharing! I have actually started to have more release of gas since posting this, and I was able to prop myself up enough in bed to sleep pretty comfortably last night so yay! I know this takes time, so I'm just going to keep my eye on the prize at the end of this

Welcome! Sitting up should help with the gas and the overall reflux issues that many patients have after surgery initially. I already have severe Reflux so I have dealt with that issue before. There are a couple really great surgeons here in Tampa/St. Pete and I would have used them if they offered a better self-pay price. I wish you the best!

Thanks Kate!

Thanks Jane13! I definitely opted for sleeping on the couch so I could sit up instead of laying down. I knew that would be an issue. The hospital bed was awful lol I'm interested in how many days it was before people started seeing the swelling and gas go down. 5-7 days post-op maybe?

Thanks. I am walking a good deal. The food is not bothering me, and that is the plan my surgeon follows, so as long as it is tolerated, I'll stick to it. It should also be noted that I had a large hiatal hernia repair during my sleeve.

Sept 3rd in Boca Raton, FL (I live in Tampa) on day 10 of my 14 day all liquid protein shake pre-op diet. So close I can taste it....wait, bad pun lol

Sept 3rd in Boca Raton, FL. Completed day 5 of the all liquid pre-op diet. Yesterday was a challenge, but today was better. Just keep moving forward!