Cheryl Smith

Had surgery Tuesday, 12/15. Some stomach soreness and pain, but even worse is my mouth and throat. Tuesday I could barely swallow. My husband says it looks like someone punched me in the mouth. Hard sores on both sides of my upper lip. Has made transitioning to water (instead of ice chips) and broth difficult because it's hard to swallow. Assume it will get better in a day or two, but having difficulties getting in my 64oz today. Any suggestions?

Long time, first time. Forums have been a great help during my 2 year approval drama. Surgery on 12/15 and have been doing great on liquid diet. BUT, going off my Nsaid (Celebrex) for RArthritis is killing me. Has anyone found a suitable patch or liquid replacement for after surgery?

As far as doing the 2nd knee 6 weeks later, that's the minimum amount of time Ins will approve I think. My sister did them 6 weeks apart and seemed to do OK (she's 73). I'm doing my 6 months apart - 4 months after my Sleeve surgery. The good thing is that you are pretty miserable and this way it's all done instead of starting to feel great and then hit bottom again

Congratulations! I'm having sleeve surgery 12/15, and had a total knee replacement on 9/28. It is a brutal surgery and will certainly slow down the walking portion of your weight loss. On the other hand the Physical Therapy you will have to do includes lots of stationary bike riding and a cool squat machine. It should help to build muscles as you lose fat. As far as eating, I had no appetite post surgery. You will be on lots of pain meds (Patches for you) and the anesthesia takes forever to wear off. I actually lost weight in the hospital and in rehab. If your insurance covers it I highly recommend a few days in Rehab. I had the surgery on a Monday morning and was released on Thursday morning. Was driven right to a short term Rehab center where you do about 3 hours PT a day (luckily in 45 min blocks). Left on Tuesday and was completely ready for steps, curbs, etc.

That's the attitude! I ordered the turmeric - we'll see if I have the same reaction. Sorry you're having issues with mobility. One of the many reasons we are all pursuing this 'tool' to help us be better.

When I had my final meeting with the Surgeon last Monday, she did mention that I might need to consult a pain management Dr. I had taken my Celebrex trough the weekend due to performances (I'm a musician). Pain started to kick in Wed and keeps getting worse. I have some Voltaran for my knees, but the pain is overall stiffness and tightness (good old RA). Thanks to all for the help. I've ordered some turmeric and am going to the pool tomorrow. I just figure the next few months are all about healing.

The pool has been my major exercise. Just started back up a couple weeks ago because I had to wait for the knee incision to heal. I'm thinking the lap surgery won't take as long to heal so I can get back to the pool quicker! Am very interested in exploring the turmeric. Always glad to use natural products. Like I siad, the pain has made the liquid diet seem like a minor blip on the annoyance meter!

Thanks for replying so quickly. I figured out how to enter more info :-) My Ortho surgeon wanted me to wait and do knee replacement surgery after WLS and weight loss. Since my approval process with BC/BS Kansas took almost 2 years, he finally did my left knee 9/15. I think the scathing letter he wrote to BC helped me get approval. I've been on the Nsaid to deal with the RA pain and won't have my right knee replaced until April 2016. After that my ability to take more than short walks should improve. I was just shocked at the overall body stiffness and pain I've encountered since going off my meds pre surgery. Like the 600 calorie liquid pre op diet not even bothering me in comparison! Luckily I'm retired and can make recovery and following the plan my full time job. I was just hoping someone had found a short term solution that would work till the excess weight comes off.

Tuesday the 15th! 10 day liquid diet going fine - 12 lbs lost! BUT, having to give up my Celebrex for RA is killing me. Meeting with my regular Dr after surgery to try to find a patch or liquid substitute.