erinkath

@OKCPirate- thanks for the insight and the website! I def think being back on my meds is the way to go, but I can definitely see that based on my "new" stomach, some doses may end up being too much as I continue to lose. But, at least I'm on the way (in both senses). And I trust my surgeon, so I think it'll be OK- I have tried a lot of meds over the years and Seroquel (even with the side effect of weight gain) worked best, and my surgeon thinks this combo is a good one for the VSG and my mental health in general. All of my doctor's can see the other's notes, so it's being monitored. Like you said, there's no one right answer, we all react differently! Thanks again for the advice!!

Hi! I was sleeved on 5/4/16 and am slightly over 2 months post-op. I've been losing steadily- down 20 lbs since surgery. I am also bipolar, but had not been on any psychiatric meds (other than Xanax for anxiety) for many years. I managed OK, but with this new, life-changing surgery and the mood swings I deal with, I decided it was best to go back on meds. I have a hard time finding a Psychiatrist with my insurance (though they approved the VSG surgery...?!). My family doctor prescribed me 10 mg of Prozac and 300 mg of Seroquel. I was on Seroquel years ago and I believe it contributed to my increasing weight gain back then. Not that it was the only cause, but I'm leery. I spoke with my surgeon who seems to think the Seroquel and Prozac is a good combo and I shouldn't worry about putting back on weight with the Seroquel. I am just curious if anyone else that had the VSG takes/has taken Seroquel post-op, and if you gained any weight back, or felt hungrier/ate more. Thanks in advance, Erin

Hi all! I had my sleeve surgery on 5/4 and I was really sick the first 2 days in the hospital, until they switched me from Dilauid to Morphine. I was having a hard time keeping anything down for the first couple of days in hospital (I was there 2.5 days) and the first few days home. I was so focused on the pain (I had never had any surgery before, so I was not prepared for the pain) that eating wasn't a concern. As I've started to feel better, I feel like my appetite has sort of come back. Obviously I can't overeat, because I will def feel sick/full, but I just feel like I am eating non-stop. Granted, it is SO much less than I would've eating previously (pre-sleeve) and I'm only allowed full liquids. Basically I'm eating every 2 hours or so, I feel like. I'm keeping a food journal. Pretty much, I'm just eating 1/4-1/2 cup of egg beaters (add a tbsp of shredded cheese sometimes), or 1/4-1/2 cup of mushy Rice Krispies with Skim Milk, or 1/4- 1/2 cup of Cream of chicken Soup with unflavored Protein mixed in. I've been trying to get my protein in, so I'll try to do a 12 oz. Muscle Milk LIGHT Protein shake, with about half it Skim Milk. I find it hard to get in all my liquids- I've been drinking Light Apple juice and Water. Anyway, I know there are some other options (my nutritionist gave us a sample menu Full Liquids and it's only averaging about 400 cal...I know I'm taking in more than that). I'm also on a whacked out schedule (I wake up late morning sometimes, go to bed at 4 am sometimes...I'm not working at the moment, so my schedule is basically whatever I want). I realize I may be dealing with some head hunger/boredom. I tended to eat when bored before, and right now I am not working, so I have a lot of free time. I know I need to redirect my energy, and I try to. I see my Dr. for my 2 week checkup this week on 5/19, and if I get cleared I can start using the treadmill at the gym and get out a lil more. I also made the mistake of weighing myself 1 week post-op and I had only lost 3 lbs. I was reminded that I could still be retaining fluids from the 2.5 days on IV fluids at the hospital, and that my insides are still very swollen and my whole body is freaking out. I just feel like I self-sabotaged by weighing myself, and I also feel like I'm pigging out and won't lose any weight. I was 223 lbs going in to surgery, so I know I may lose weight slower than some people. I think I am just afraid of failing at this, which I think is a normal feeling (I hope). I lost 13 lbs on my Pre-Op liquid diet, and I feel like I'm already going to fail post-op. I know a lot of people say that they have no appetite, but has anyone encountered what I'm feeling? How did you deal with "hunger", or with being OK that you may actually be hungry- I realize full liquids aren't exactly filling. How long did it take for the IV Fluid retention to go away for you? I know everyone is different, but any insight is welcome/appreciated. I'm only 1.5 weeks Post Op, so everything is still new/scary...not to mention I'm still in pain. Thanks so much if you read this, or give advice. I'm not usually one to reach out to strangers, but no one I know is going through this. -Erin

@Inner Surfer Girl- For the first few weeks, according to my dr and nutritionist, we are supposed to be drinking Protein shakes to get the recommended protein (that's prob why it looks like a protein-light diet). The shakes I use are Muscle Milk Light, I get 25g protein per shake (trying to do at least 2 shakes a day). Plus I mix unflavored protein into my Soup. This is just for the first two weeks on full liquids. They stressed that you will be getting most of your protein via the shakes at first. I know each doctor are different, so it's def important to go by what your dr says, this was just what I was given (it was a pretty large handout, with sample menus for each 2 week stage). @@nicki72, @@KristenLe is right, you may not be be doing anything wrong according to your dr's program. This was just the plan my dr and nutritionist go by. I've seen so many different ones, and the length of time you're on each stage varies, too, depending on your dr/program. I'm feeling a little better- less like I'm eating non-stop, I've been trying to keep busy and focusing on getting in my Protein Shakes, because as people have mentioned, and my nutritionist stressed- that's most important. I hope you're feeling a little better!! I think each day is going to be a challenge for me- my moods and feelings are all over the place right now...but I'm still learning...tomo will be 2 weeks post op for me, and I see my dr in 2 days.

@nicki72 - one more thing...my nutritionist visited me in hospital and she gave me this handout as well, had a few more ideas for thwe liquids stages. I found this one had a lot of good ideas, too. As always, whatever your DR said should be followed, but I hope these can give you some helpful ideas if you didn't really get great guidelines. Hope you don't mind me sharing . -Erin

@@nicki72 - I took a pic of the handout I got from my nutritionist, regarding Post-Op Full liquids. Maybe this can help since you said you weren't sure what exactly to be eating at this stage- the Sample Menu is just suggestions, but it's a decent guide. I don't like a lot of the suggestions (the fruit cup, applesauce, ricotta), so as I mentioned before I'm mainly sticking to cold Cereal (this why they said Rice Krispies was an option during one of the sessions- but also oatmeal for hot cereal), cream of chicken (Fat Free) Soup, Muscle Milk Light for my Protein shakes and egg beaters. I mix unflavored protein into my soup and sometimes the egg beaters. My nutritionist was part of my surgical group, we had to have 2 classes before we could get our surgery date, then the final 3rd class once surgery was scheduled. But I attached the pics of my handout, if you're interested. Please lmk how you're making out since our stories sound so similar! -Erin

Thanks for the article, it was really interesting. I actually borrowed that book from the library and found it very insightful and helpful! This whole thing is such a learning experience- it's great that we have this site for support and suggestions!

Good luck to you, too! Did you see a nutritionist beforehand? We had to take 3 classes pre-op and they gave us a handout with the things to eat for each stage post-op. That's how I got the OK for mushy Rice Krispies and egg beaters. But it said basically what another poster said- creamed soup w/ no chunks, Protein shakes, broth, Clear Liquids, etc. I'm not alone in feeling this way- hopefully as we progress we'll feel better!!

Hi, thanks SO much for all of the input!!! I wouldn't have thought that egg beaters (the substitute- not real eggs) or rice krispies were OK for this stage, but my nutritionist was the one that suggested it, and it was in the handouts they gave us for Post-Op diet stages. Rice Krispies has low sugars (4 g) so they said it was OK. The egg beaters have a good amount of Protein, so I guess that's why (plus they're soft- though I would've thought that we should wait til the soft food stage). I like the suggestion of Greek Yogurt. I have some that is low sugar (I couldn't find any sugar free), so I will try adding that to my diet. I'm going to try to lessen the amount of rice krispies, and egg beaters, though, because I really do need to be focusing on getting my Protein drinks in. It's definitely a trial and error, learning experience. I'm bringing my food journal with me to my first post-op dr's appointment in 3 days, so I can discuss my issues with the dr, as well (they ask you to bring it). I'm taking Protonix (I've been on it for a year or so..I have bad reflux), but I think honestly, it's a lot of head hunger, combined with boredom, and just trying to figure out how to manage actual hunger when it occurs. I'm going top try not to weigh myself that much for awhile, since that also can be detrimental at first, if I focus on just the number. Thanks to everyone for your advice, encouragement and suggestions, and for making me feel not so alone! -Erin

I like your tips for seasoning the broth! I will have to try those, because bland broth is really not doing it for me. Normally I don't mind broth, but every day it's getting boring! Thanks for the tips .

@@becky35pr - Dr. Salcone is my surgeon, too- 5/4 in Camden. I like him a lot- I'm so excited/nervous. Good luck! I'm having mine done at Cooper in Camden. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Me too with Dr Salcone in Lourdes Camden Sent from my SM-G928T using the BariatricPal App

Thank you all so much for all of the encouragement and helpful tips! I've done great today sticking to my pre-op, so I'm hoping the next 10 days fly by! It is going to be so worth it in the end, and I'm glad that I have a community here of people to talk to, and get non-judgmental advice. I don't know anyone in my personal life that has gotten any sort of bariatric surgery, and while most people have been very supportive, it's still not the same. I'm not working currently, so I have A LOT of time to think (and previously, eat)...but I'm joining the gym on Monday so that I will be ready to go once I'm cleared for exercise after surgery...and it can keep me busy leading up to it. I truly appreciate all of the advice and encouragement! @@Dub - I think it's really interesting that you had to watch surgical videos prior to surgery. I haven't had to do that, but the parts that you mentioned would've been enough to keep me on track! I'm not allowed caffeine, but carbonation (I drink a lot of seltzer and sparkling water) has been the thing I'm missing most.

Hi! I started my Pre-Op (mostly liquid) Diet on Wednesday, 4/20. My surgery is scheduled for 5/4. I got my surgery date on 4/19 and literally had to start the diet the following day. I've been eating better since I found out I was getting surgery, but I only had a month between getting my consult to my surgery date (a lot was fast-tracked due to already having many pre-requisites done). I'm finding that it's harder than I thought to go almost all liquid. I have slipped up the first 2 days already, and I feel very guilty and like I'm failing. I did good today (Day 3), and am going to be 100% diligent going forward, but I was wondering if anyone else has encountered the slipping up/feeling of failure? I am allowed AT LEAST 3 Protein shakes (I make mine with Skim Milk), broth, sugar free Jello/water ice/popsicles, a small bowl of salad 1x a day and a cup of fresh veggies 1-2x day. Also decaf tea (which I don't drink). It sounds good on paper, but it's really not filling. I'm not minding the shakes as much (I use Muscle Milk Light with a variety of flavors). It's hard getting all of the required Water in, too. Does anyone have any good "recipes" for the bland broth, or tricks for maximizing the effectiveness of this diet? How did you pace everything out (menu?). I am hoping as the days go on it gets easier and the end result will SOOO be worth it. After the surgery, I'm told many people aren't hungry, so it shouldn't be an issue. I don't see my nutritionist for another 4 days... Thanks for reading/sharing. I'm new to this, but I felt like I should reach out . -Erin

I use the Lourdes network for almost all of my doctors...I really like them. Have only been to this Camden hospital once for pre-surgery testing, but it seemed really nice. Good luck with Nursing school! Good luck! I like Lourdes. I'm applying to nursing school there! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@FabFemale I really like him, he is so nice and thorough. Good luck with yours, too!! It's so exciting. @erinkath. I went to dr salcone seminar before I had to switch to a surgeon my insurance recommended. He is great. I'm in Voorhees. Having mine done through Atlanticare Dr Patel. Good luck !

I'm going to be at Lourdes in Camden.

That's really interesting that you had to do a trial run before seeing your surgeon, but it's a good idea. I'm finding that after the first 2 days it's gotten much easier. My surgeon said a 2 week diet, but I think every doctor is different. I've heard of some that don't require it at all.

Good luck to you guys, I hope it goes well!! I'm nervous/excited...but so ready for this next chapter . Hey, I'm in NJ, too! I'm going in on 4/27. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Seems to be quite a few of us here in NJ. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@BBweightlossjourney I'm in Southampton, but my surgery will be at Lourdes in Camden with Dr. Salcone. I'm so excited/nervous! I started my 2 week diet on Wed, but I'm going REALLY hardcore today (it takes some getting used to!). I'm allowed a small salad and a cup of fresh veggies, in addition to the liquids...but I'm hoping it gets easier as the days go on. Plus, the end result will be SO worth it!! Good luck to you! @@erinkath I'm in NJ too ! I live in Woodbridge , Dr. Paragi is my Doctor . My Sleeve date is May 10th at St. Barnanbas in Livingston .. I'm excited! How about you ? I start liquids on Monday ...

I'm on Day 2 of the (mostly) liquid diet. I cheated a little today (2 small cheese quesadillas that I baked). OF COURSE, I feel SO guilty now. I'm allowed at least 3 Protein shakes, plus broth, a small bowl of salad, a small cup of crunchy fresh veggies, sugar free Jello and ice pops. But I'm STILL starving. I've seen varied diets, too- just depends on your surgeon, I guess. I'm 5'6, 236 lbs. I get my sleeve surgery on 5/4. I plan to be 100% diligent starting tomorrow. It's just going to take A LOT of getting used to...but I want to lose as much pre-op. I'm hoping post-op the hunger will mostly be gone. Good luck! And I'm glad I'm not alone

Hi! NJ here, getting my surgery May 4th. Just got my date this week and had to start my Pre-Op diet the next day. It's a lot harder than I thought it would be, but I keep telling myself it's going to be SO worth it! I'm mostly nervous about the pain afterward, since I've never had any kind of surgery before.

Hi! I'm 33, in NJ. I am scheduled for 5/4. Just got my date this week. I just started my Pre-Op (mostly) liquid diet and I'm STRUGGGGLING! Haha. I know it is going to be SO worth it, but I'm hoping this next week and a half flies by. I'm mostly concerned about the pain afterward.