songsmith

I'm bummed. I'm down 15 pounds. Found out Friday (after my primary made me go to the ER) that the symptoms my surgeon's PA insisted were "muscle strain due to your body rearranging itself) are actually a pleural effusion (Water on the lungs). I go in tomorrow to have it drained. My left lung is nearly completely obstructed, so I imagine that might explain the stall I'm on. It also doesn't help that I can't breathe deeply at all which makes any exertion, even walking, difficult since I get out of breath after walking about 25 steps. It's not the weight loss (or the amount) that has me bummed so much as a complication which I feel is impacting my progress. Other than that, I feel fine, am getting in my Protein and water. I've gone down 2 pants sizes.

OMG I feel for you. Back in 2014 I had complications (couldn't swallow) after they removed my thyroid. I couldn't drink or eat. My veins kept blowing from all the IVs. They finally decided to give me a feeding tube. The. Absolutely. WORST. Experience of my life! Once it was in, it was bearable, but the process of inserting it? I don't know about you, but they don't give you anything to make it easier. You can feel it and I don't think the tech who put in mine had much experience. I was crying because of the pain and gagging, snotting up, peeing myself from stress incontinence (TMI) not able to breathe--did I mention pain? Then, after they did it, the damn thing kept want to wriggle it's way back up. I think my body was saying, "Oh HELL no!" Then they started talking about putting some sort of tube/shunt (I can't remember the word) directly into my stomach). It was depressing as hell. I was lucky and turned the corner (possibly from fear of another procedure). I'm sorry you are having so many problems. Right now I'm waiting for a pleural effusion (Water on the lungs) to be drained and tested. It's pretty much preventing me from exercising, etc., not to mention difficulty breathing. But what I have pales in comparison to what you've gone through. May you also "round the corner" soon.

That is good to hear. The doctor told me it should ease my breathing and the pain. Kind of kicking myself for not seeing someone about it earlier. The bariatric P.A. didn't seem to think it was a big deal, and I had convinced myself the symptoms were from different causes.

I am a thyroid cancer survivor. Have you read about that particular type? If you're going to get cancer, then get thyroid cancer. 99% of the time it does not spread. They removed my thyroid (my little "butterfly" had grown to a 9-inch "Mothra"). I've been fine ever since. They didn't even have me undergo treatment. The endocrinologist keeps my synthroid high to discourage any attempt of leftover cells to grow back. It's been about a year and a half now, and she's going to lower the dosage. I feel so much better now that it's gone. I had all the classic symptoms of thyroid problems, but it took a determined primary to push the ENTs to listen to me. All they saw was a fat woman wondering why she couldn't lose weight (i.e., an excuse). Try not to worry (silly to tell you that, I know).

Oops! Forgot! CW 222.8

After 6 long months plus two more because of scheduling conflicts, I finally have my date. Anyone want to buddy?

I guess it doesn't matter, but I am curious. I'm 3 wks out and on soft foods per my surgeon. The amount I can eat varies not only from day to day but from food type to food type. Yesterday I could barely get down 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt in one sitting. Today I ate a 2 egg omelette (w/a touch of cheese). There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason. Some days I can eat more of a food than I did previously and vice-versa. Not worried, just find it odd and wondered if those with more experience with their sleeves could shed some light.

Surgery went great. Felt wonderful that first night. I even thought to myself, "Maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones who have no problems at all!" Then morning hit. And the nausea. I dry-heaved so much that I wound up pinching a nerve in my shoulder. Don't ask me how that's possible, but that's what happened. Then they had a problem with my drain--blood, blood everywhere--and the doctor decided I should stay an extra day. Tuesday was not pleasant, let me tell you. Then woke up today and felt fine again. The night nurse figured out that I probably had a clot blocking the drain and when that passed, all the blood came. She sensibly reset the dressing (day staff just kept taping over it). She also suggested a hot pad for the shoulder, which worked a treat. So I'm home and fine and just sip-sip-sipping away. How is everyone else doing this fine Wednesday?

223.8 today!

I honestly thought I'd wind up feeding half the omelette to the dog and was surprised I felt no discomfort when I have when eating other foods. I'm still learning to find that point between satisfied and "OMG I should not have eaten that last bite."

I think you should try to get most of your Protein from actual food, but sometimes that's problematic when you can't eat enough at one time to make a significant dent. That said, not all shakes are full of sugar, carbs and calories. I don't buy premixed (usually more expensive) but I know you can find 0 carb or low carb protein powders. Some, if flavored, may have a few carbs, but not many. I use one of the flavored Syntrax powders, which is at 100 calories and (from memory) maybe 7g carbs and 23g protein. The unflavored ones have 0 carbs. Do you like yogurt? The plain, unflavored Fage Greek yogurt is made with only milk and yeast cultures--no additives--and has 23g protein (yes, as much as my protein powder!) and 9g carbs (because of the natural lactose in dairy). That's a ton of protein from a "real" food. Naturally, flavored versions have different counts. It is the highest protein Greek yogurt I've found. You can flavor it with fruit, sweeteners (if wanted) yourself and know you aren't adding in weird chemicals.

My gallbladder came out about a year before my sleeve. No problems! (I did kid my surgeon and warn him not to add one back in!)

My sister cracked up when I told her I really wished I could shoulder fart! I don't get it either. How does gas wind up over there?

Hi. I was sleeved on 2/15. I had gas so bad in my left shoulder that the day shift people thought I had pinched a nerve. (I experienced some nausea and dry-heaving the day after). Night nurse figured it out. Gas-X helped a lot (as did walking). Still, my shoulder had twinges up until late last week. I occasionally feel gas after eating (takes me a bit to recognize it for what it is). I take the reflux med prescribed to me and that helps. I gained 5 lbs. due to surgery. I lost that and finally hit 10 pounds lost from SW on Sunday. I'm averaging about a pound every other day. It's frustrating when I see people who lose so much faster than I do. Then I remind myself that's around 3.5 lbs. per week. For me, that is pretty darn good! If you have reflux meds, take them. I get that heart-burny feeling high up if I've eaten too much. It's usually about 1 bite more than I needed because I'm still learning how to recognize my "full" feeling. Gas-X also seems to help with that, and it definitely helped with my shoulder. I don't envy you. My shoulder was so bad that I couldn't use my left arm to push myself up or out of bed. Hi. I was sleeved on 2/15. I had gas so bad in my left shoulder that the day shift people thought I had pinched a nerve. (I experienced some nausea and dry-heaving the day after). Night nurse figured it out. Gas-X helped a lot (as did walking). Still, my shoulder had twinges up until late last week. I occasionally feel gas after eating (takes me a bit to recognize it for what it is). I take the reflux med prescribed to me and that helps. I gained 5 lbs. due to surgery. I lost that and finally hit 10 pounds lost from SW on Sunday. I'm averaging about a pound every other day. It's frustrating when I see people who lose so much faster than I do. Then I remind myself that's around 3.5 lbs. per week. For me, that is pretty darn good! If you have reflux meds, take them. I get that heart-burny feeling high up if I've eaten too much. It's usually about 1 bite more than I needed because I'm still learning how to recognize my "full" feeling. Gas-X also seems to help with that, and it definitely helped with my shoulder. I don't envy you. My shoulder was so bad that I couldn't use my left arm to push myself up or out of bed.

I learned a long time ago that I cannot drink a lot of Water at a time if it's cold. I have trouble getting it down, and it fills me up more quickly. Room temperature is the way to go for me. Part of your problem may also be that your pouch/sleeve has so much less room in it than your old stomach did.

When I was 18 or so I followed a diet that had you fast one day, next day you could eat fruit (mixed with plain yogurt okay). I can't remember, but the amount was no doubt limited. Next day you had veggies, after that dairy? I can't remember it all except the day before your next fast you got to have steak if you wanted it. Also have tried WW numerous times (the one back in early 80s was okay; crap after they went the no fat route) Nutri-System, cabbage Soup, calorie counting, Atkins and South Beach. I did well on low carb diets. The diets didn't fail me. I sabotaged myself each time I got close to a specific weight. (Why I'm seeing a shrink now.)

CW 228.4

@@WLSResources/ClothingExch, I did misread. I thought someone asked "Why would you tell your psychiatrist" when they essentially said the same thing I did. I still don't think the psych eval is that bad a thing. Sometimes people kid themselves about their issues (or perceived lack of them) or they discover they really don't want to adhere to the guidelines. The evaluation can spotlight these potential problems. This is a life-changing surgery. We need to be willing to change our habits not only to be successful, but for our continued health.

To people wondering why the OP told her psych, why not? WLS greatly impacts the patient's life. I'd want my therapist to know so we can work on ways to overcome whatever food issues I have. It's terrific that the therapist was behind the procedure 100 percent. We've all read tales of how someone's primary or therapist was absolutely against the surgery. I don't think there's anything wrong with the psych eval. Mine, at least, was a questionnaire. The psych went over it. We discussed a few things. It was painless. He asked me if I thought seeing a therapist (not him) would help me because of some concerns I raised myself. He gave me the name of several people who specialize in eating-related issues. In my case, my insurance company insisted on the evaluation. Even so, I found it helpful in the long run.

It would be great to have a list of these sort of resources stickied in the Fitness forum.

Oh, no, @@skinny06! It must be tough to have your body reacting to the medications on top of the knowledge that you need to wait even longer. But hang in there! It's been awhile since I had my hiatal repair, but I don't remember the pain lasting too long. Hopefully you'll be back on your feet in no time. On the bright side, this gives you a chance to lose even more pre-surgery if that's what you want. You'll soon be joining everyone on the Losers' Bench.

Wow! You go! I'd be doing the happy dance, too!

What part of KC do you live in? I'm out towards Olathe. (Haven't been to my group yet because it met right after my surgery. Doesn't mean I wouldn't like to connect with others.)

Pre-op I would mix quinoa, black turtle beans, salsa, tomatoes, scallions and chicken into a salad. Add in some cumin and cilantro and ancho/chipotle powder. Nummy. It's a good food for you. If you must eat a grain, I say go for quinoa.