GinaCampbell

I had them one day before vsg, duration of every hospital stay post op and ten days after discharge. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Those injections can be annoying. But they will be over soon. As the weight comes off, loads of hormones are flooding your system. Emotional rollercoaster is normal! You will do great! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You are not a failure for eating 2 oz of baked beans!!!! Just be careful of your new stomach, speak with your healthcare providers. You are still healing both physically, mentally and emotionally! Hang in there! Make food choices that make you feel good about yourself. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

That's fantastic! And that's what this place is for. (or should be) Uplifting each other, sharing knowledge and experiences. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

No guilt at all! I eat what my sleeve allows me to and if I go off my plan and taste something unhealthy, I don't beat myself up about it. Why would I? If I started gaining weight, I would examine my food intake and adjust it though. My first mushy food was the dreaded banana. I was so happy to be eating a "proper" food after three months on liquids (I was very sick post op) that I ate it with glee. I knew the nutritional value, I tried Protein everyday first, did all the right things. But that banana made me very happy, stopped my leg cramps and dizziness, gave my meds something to bind to in my system. Point being is that you have to eat to live and sometimes we eat things that might not be good for our weightloss. Feeling guilty about it is a waste of energy. If you don't like the choice you made, make a better one next time, use that energy to go for a walk or to meal plan for success tomorrow. But don't give headspace to guilt! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am 4.5 months out and I now get hungry which I am pleased about as I thought the food revulsion that I experience would stop me ever eating again! I check that I have eaten correctly (I do forget sometimes or the revulsion stops me), then drink Water. If I am still hungry thirty minutes later, I have a small Protein snack. I make sure that I keep up with my PPI so there is no acid issues. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I really wouldn't worry about it. You can start losing hair for all sorts of reasons surgery or no surgery. I was super ill post op and lost a massive amount of weight in eight weeks plus I already had thin hair that was shedding beforehand. I couldn't tolerate any Proteins, took no Vitamins, supplements and was only on 200 to 400 calories a day for three months. My hairloss is no more or less than before the surgery. My dermatologist recommended minoxidil but the problem with that is that once you start it, if it even helps, you may have to continue to use it permanently to sustain your hair gain. It bothers me from time to time that I lose hair, that my hair is thinning and I am seeing a dermatologist to make sure there is nothing medically wrong with me, but in reality, it's no big deal. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I did it all alone. At times, I felt so sad that I had no one to help do the little things that make life easier along the way. But I did it. I am 4 1/2 months out and I did it. The emotional part of all of this can catch you off guard and be overwhelming. But it passes and gets easier. Hang in there! You will be okay! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am sitting in a thick jumper and wool socks over my sweats, under a duvet! And my feet still are cold as ice! I don't use convenience meals because I waste so much. If I don't like them, if my sleeve doesn't like them, too filling etc. But I know you work lots so you have to do what's best for you! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Wow! I can't even eat one hardboiled egg yet! But surely you would just understand that the calorie count of that meal is acceptable and I imagine that if you diced those eggs and put them in a half cup measure, plus the nectarine, it would measure in volume to 1/2 cup? And if you imagined your chicken and green bean meal chewed up, wouldn't that fit in 1/2 a cup measure? That is a very strict way to live so I wouldn't worry. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I too can judge by eye foods like chicken and beef. I can't eat much of it so I cook them in broth in the slow cooker and it makes them much easier to eat because they are soft and moist. I can only eat 3oz max of those foods. I can't tolerate mash potato, etc. Carbs like that sit like lead in my sleeve. Same with bread, in fact all that sort of carbs give me issues. So I eat carefully and mindfully. I hate waste so I make up portion sizes that you would give to a 3 year old. I eat new foods only at home and only in teaspoonfuls. It took me awhile to get my brain to prepare tiny portions. Or to batch freeze larger ones. Then to use side plates and judge by eye or scale small portions. It's the same process as dieting pre op. The sleeve is a tool but it's your brain that should be the restriction mechanism. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My fibro pain was controlled by the liquid meds but the fatigue has been aggravated by low calorie intake and post op infection. I have recently had my first B12 injection but still have significant fatigue. I also have alot of large muscle and joint pain but because I feel dizzy and off balance, I am concerned about taking full script of fibro meds post op. I was concerned about my fibro care plan post op but didn't fully appreciate the scope of managing all the different symptoms that post op vsg and fibro throw out. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have always been a fast eater. I really have to be mindful when I eat and drink to slow down. I too get dizzy, sweaty and feel weird after eating some things. It's usually when I try something and it has too much sugar in it or is a carb that is too processed. Or if I haven't chewed well enough. I have not ever vomited but I have felt awful and thought that I was going to. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you! It has been difficult but I learned how much I mean to my family, how much they value my role as a Grandma to their children. So to look at it all positively is easier. My actual sleeve surgery itself was totally successful. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My family were totally against my having the vsg. Their fears were that I was not well enough (I have fibromyalgia) to survive the surgery itself and that I might have post op complications. They also felt that I could actually lose weight without bariatric surgery. Unfortunately, I did have post op complications that required re admission to hospital, then contracted clostridium difficile. It was very serious and obviously all of their fears were justified. But four months later, the drama is history. They do learn to live with your decision and they still love you. I did try and explain my reasons for going ahead with the surgery during the three years or so that I was in the pre op bariatric program, but they all really were just dead set against it. They felt that I was risking my life having elective surgery. Now that they can see that I will live and now that they see that I can sit with the family during meals and eat some food (I mostly just fake eating), things have calmed down. Even if they stay against the idea, I definitely think you should always inform your family that you are having surgery. It is upsetting, I know. I had no idea how frightened they actually were that I might not wake up from the actual surgery, until the day after. I feel that I didn't understand their specific concerns. Maybe I wasn't listening well enough. Regardless, my relationships were not permanently damaged because I went ahead with the vsg. As long as you feel comfortable with your decision and have done your best to inform them, you will be okay. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had to sleep in my back for quite a few weeks but found that if I tucked a pillow under me, I could lie a bit more on my side each week. I could only lie on my left side (the side my stomach was removed) though. Trying to turn and lie on my right side felt really weird and uncomfortable. I am nearly five months out now and can sleep on my stomach with no problems. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

That's the treatment I had too. Try and rest, don't worry about your sleeve. I had a similar problem post op but my sleeve was okay. I was worried about eating etc but obviously, with being so ill, I didn't want anything anyway. But if they will allow you to drink, just concentrate on getting the Fluid in to help wash out the infection. If they have you on IV fluid, then just rest and heal. You will be okay. Are they being kind to you? Do you have everything that you need? Is someone bringing you things? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had similar problems and I know how hard it is. So sorry that you are going through this. I was so worried because I missed my family and knew the little ones didn't understand my absence. You will get through this. Try to rest, it is so important. The antibiotics will clear the drain site. You must try to stay in and let the meds do their job. You will get better. I did and I know how hard it is. Prayers coming your way!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have had GERD for years pre op. Mine is much better now. But I use my PPI and a Gaviscon liquid before bed. I am told it forms a sort of barrier between the sleeve contents and the throat. I use it a couple of times between 6 pm and midnight if needed. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am 5ft 2 and four months post op. Despite quite a few post op issues and a recurrent c diff infection, my sleeve capacity feels very reasonable depending on the food I try and eat. At first, for me, nothing much felt quite right. So the goal is Water, good quality broths and Protein of some fashion. I can only speak for myself obviously, but my surgeon told me that he made my sleeve "very small" and I can eat watermelon reasonably. But in small portions. You will only be able to eat tiny portions (mouthfuls, not cups) once cleared to move on from liquids. If I try to eat a dense protein (meat, eggs etc), I can still only eat a few mouthfuls. Processed carbs are a waste of time for me to even attempt (think mashed potato, pasta). It sits like lead in my sleeve even a couple of mouthfuls. But that's the point of this surgery. Learning to eat smaller, well thought out portions of good, healthy food. Learning to drink good quality liquids. To put nutrition in the body. I have been told both that the sleeve can and can't stretch, so I don't know which is true. I have been obsessively careful about quantities of anything going in because I want my sleeve to heal really well. And if quantity and portions are concerning you, I am not sure that asking for a bigger sleeve is the right question. Perhaps asking yourself about nutritional input, body "fuel" and what your relationship with food will look like might be a better question. You can always postpone the surgery until your mind is straight about all of this. Please make sure that your mind is settled before you actually have the surgery. Good luck and best wishes! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Try not to fret about exact numbers. Staying calm and focused will help. I am not getting enough Protein yet either. I also had a prolonged period of "starvation" mode. Trying tiny amounts of all sorts of foods can help boost your protein input. And might help with the hypos. Once your liquid diet is finished, and if your team allows it, concentrate on just nibbling things that your sleeve likes. I could tolerate some broth so continuously had the slow cooker on with beef and bones in it. I then slowly started adding tiny amounts of lentils. I also put carrots in as I can tolerate them. I always have some of that broth handy. It has both good protein and carbs in. Even if I can only drink the broth throughout the day, my body is getting nutrition. I also nibble on anything that might help boost my protein. Crackers with slivers of hard cheese, cheese crackers with cottage cheese, tiny apple (no skin) slivers dipped in Peanut Butter. Crispy (which turns mushy) textures seem to be tolerated by my sleeve. But as ill (with c diff) as I am, I still push my body to try different Proteins often. Even minute amounts of different foods will add up over 24 hours. I also found that I was in the routine of not eating anything from 6 pm to 9 am pre op, quite normal especially as I have reflux issues. But post op, it was so easy to become both dehydrated because of that routine and that I was going too long without anything going in on top of only a 300 calorie daily intake. So now I make sure that I have something as soon as I wake up (I keep Lucozade beside my bed just in case) and that I have something just before I go to sleep. I hope that helps. Hang in there. I do really understand how you are feeling. Stay calm, breathe, drink Water, nibble, sip broth. Even bone broth has protein in it. Push your food boundaries every day. Protein can come from a myriad of sources, think outside the box. It is now your sleeve, we don't all fit inside the regular sleeve "box" so explore (with caution), what works for you. If a food offends your sleeve this week, it's okay. You can try it again later. I keep trying with egg because I know it is valuable in protein. Egg drop Soup will work for me but I know that I must push my texture boundaries so I try deviled eggs. I really hate the waste so am learning to only prepare minute quantities where possible. You will be okay. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was quite concerned about the post op fibro pain too but found that it wasn't so bad. Once I was able to take my fibro pain meds, I had no trouble with pain. But the post op fatigue (fibro? sleeve? both?) and fibro immunity issues, those I struggle with. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Ditto! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Has anyone taken this antibiotic for c dif? Did it help you? I have taken two doses and my symptoms have dramatically increased. The nurse says that I should persevere. Just looking for opinions. Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Many different things can cause a person to contract clostridium difficile. Heavy antibiotic treatment, sporicidal ingestion, poor hygiene in clinical settings etc. In my case, I contracted it post op. It is NOT routinely associated with WLS. It is a normal risk of any surgery, just like MRSA. There is a wealth of info out there. Just google clostridium difficile. Asking a question is never "ignorance". Never apologise. How it is answered sometimes can be, both in demeanour and in content. I hope that helps. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

They may discuss a fecal implant with you. That may be your best option. I'm suffering again for the second time with Vertigo, so annoying. Back on steroids. It's like never ending. I know you know what I mean! Oh no! So sorry to hear that! I hope you feel better soon! Unless I can get a referral from my GP to the infectious diseases consultant, I don't think that I will progress out of this c diff loop. I do keep quietly insisting on treatment to whichever caregiver I am seeing that day hoping to trigger a referral. I won't be able to discuss faecal implant options until I see a consultant. I finally got in to see the dermatologist yesterday. I was referred pre sleeve for excessive hair loss. She confirmed that I am going bald and will need a biopsy to determine exactly why. Being post op sleeve has complicated things. Obviously, as I am at the 4/5 month mark post op and have been sick for so long, even more hair loss is expected now. Especially as I was without Protein for so long. Losing over 100lbs in such a short time is bad for hair! She told me that I should have postponed the sleeve surgery until I had a diagnosis if I was concerned about excessive hair loss as I may now have absorption issues and may struggle to get in enough nutrients to support my hair. Anyway, this merry go round continues. It's the Fibromyalgia and pain mgt consultant next week. I didn't get a chance to see him pre op so I have no idea what he can do to help but am hoping to persuade him to order some bloodwork to see where I am nutrient wise and maybe I can get a referral from him to infectious diseases. I can't wait for a day when I am not either having medical treatment, seeking medical treatment, sitting in a hospital, GP surgery, etc. Some clinicians don't want me in waiting rooms in case the c diff is active (between tests), some don't seem to care. I am certainly fatigued with it all. What can you do about the vertigo other than take steroids? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App