Seastars

I love this topic! I was a huge liar to myself. "It doesn't matter that I'm obese because I'm fit - I exercise much more than the thin people I know." "I very rarely eat junk food, so I'm not at risk for diabetes." "The carbs I eat don't count because it's all whole grains, Beans and fruit/veg." "If I just focused more I could lose all this weight and finally keep it off." "I'm a grownup who knows how to eat; I don't need a dietician." "I can be happy or thin/dieting, but not both." "It's profeminist for me not to care about my weight." "I'm not addicted to food." "I'm not as obese as the Biggest Loser cast so I don't need to lose weight." "I can do sports just as effectively fat as thin." "There's nothing I can do about becoming thin so I may as well give up." "My doctor told me I don't need to lose weight, so he must be right." All LIES!

Yay, Sunshine, just three more days! And after surgery, each day gets easier. But take the Emend anti-nausea pill, if you can. I think it made a huge difference for me.

YAY, Maggie! Very good to know.

Camber, I'm so glad you shared this. I have been having a bit of a pout, having walked through my neighborhood farmers' market and then the grocery store today, and I wanted to eat ALL THE THINGS. I wasn't hungry, but the freshly baked pizzas looked SO good, and the fresh fruits, and my BFF Doritos having fun in the store aisle without me... Ugh. And kind friends have dropped off homemade dinners that I can't even taste. It's only post-op Day 3 and I don't know how I'm going to get through the next 11+ days (until I can have creamy Soups and puréed foods, at least)! Except for meeting up with you guys (July 2 not good, July 16 works) I am quite nervous about being in a restaurant or at a party. Too much temptation, and likely resentment. (Which reminds me that I need a new way of recovering from a pout because I can't just turn to food anymore.) I'm learning that overcoming my food habits is going to take a long time. :/. Time of day being mealtime? There's food near me? My tummy gurgles? I reach for food and I've almost had to sit on my hands and yell at myself, "you can't eat that!" But my success today (trying for the bright side) was getting re-started on Vitamins (I totally admit that was partly texture driven - I wanted to CHEW something and was willing to compromise on a Vitamin tablet and Calcium chew to get some texture). And I made my Protein and Water goals, partly because I am taking bigger sips now. I'm not waiting the 15 minutes between finishing a shake and starting on my water - I guess I should. Timing of water, protein, supplements - geez, feeding myself is now like a FT job! Right now there are delicious burritos and lasagnes in my freezer getting lonely. I miss them very much.

No, but it sounds like thrush: "You may notice a white, cottage cheese-like coating on your tongue after surgery. Your tongue may also be very red and inflamed. Most likely you have thrush, which is a yeast overgrowth in the mouth. Often, this is due to large amounts of antibiotics taken before surgery. Call your primary care doctor if you have an oral infection or a rash on your skin." https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/recovering_from_bariatric_surgery/

Ice! That's so smart - I am wanting a different, semisolid texture. Anyone tried to freeze a Protein shake to make it more like ice cream? Or I could buy some SF popsicles, but I am more concerned about making my Protein shakes more varied.

Sorry - I'm blind! (Wonder if weight loss will improve my eyesight...) You look well-prepared! Do you have a good little blender, and soymilk? My nutritionist requires Protein powders (like nectar and Unjury) to be mixed in milk/soy, with a little fat to improve digestion, rather than Water - for the first 2 weeks post-op. I found a little blender that works well.

Good to hear from you,@farcaster. it'll keep getting better from here!

Me too (single mom, living in Seattle, work weekdays, that is). @@Camber, weekend late mornings work well for me. I like the idea of meeting for broth (Panera or pho). Yay!

Camber, count me in for a local support group! I'd love live talk with people at the same stage! I'm feeling really grateful right now that my recovery is going well. (Knock wood.) I was pretty fit before surgery so that likely helped (my surgeon said it would). Alas, I likely won't lose weight nearly as fast as others, but I figure I'm only "competing" against my own former self, right? We are ALL gonna get healthier!

YOU BRAGGART! hahaha... but seriously, way to "go"! Maggie, I tried something else for gas pain: a heating pad on my back. I do have far less pain today but I don't know if it's related to using the pad today. I saw the tip on a gallbladder post-op board. Worth trying? Maybe ok on your tummy too, as long as not on the incisions.

Maggie, I haven't found any cure for the "gas waves," although walking around is supposedly getting the gas out. My doc says that because it's gas in the body cavity (not the gut) gas-X or similar medicines won't help. Just knowing it's "only" gas has helped me focus less on it. Here're my notes so far: I was sleeved June 22 at 2pm. 2 hours post-surgery, in the hospital: I'm tired (moving slowly) and dry-mouthed (from the anesthesia - went away after 36 hours - otherwise ok. Walking the hospital floor (wheeling along my IV), peeing, no nausea. I'm not in pain, really, more a torso soreness with a rolling wave that my brain interprets as... Hunger! Ironic, huh? I am very hungry! (I later figured out that this was just gas.). I'm on IV fluids but will be focusing today on drinking enough, just to keep practicing. It's hard, going sip by sip. (I could probably have taken bigger sips of Water but I was afraid I'd vomit if I overfilled my newly small stomach.) The worst part so far of this whole process was the fasting the day before surgery. 24 hours post-surgery, after a mandatory overnight in the hospital: I am home, tired but enjoying my own couch. (Nothing like the tiredness of post-childbirth. More like after a bout of flu.). Sipping and napping. Still having that sort-of achy occasional wave of pain in stomach, not bad but my brain keeps translating as hunger. Weird. (Again, this was gas.) Had some nice broth with unflavored Protein in it, after 2 similar meals earlier in the hospital. 48 hours post-surgery: I haven't needed the painkillers or anti-nausea meds. I do feel sore "deep" in my stomach, not in the incisions though. Not noticeable unless I stand up. Still have gas, feels like a pregnancy contraction but higher up. I went for a mile walk at noon and had no problems, although I was moving a little slowly. Did a second mile walk in evening. Felt strong and clear-headed. I didn't want to go crazy and run, but walking was no effort. Did laundry and dishes earlier. In a pinch I could have gone to work - brain not fuzzy at all. Focusing on sip-sip sipping... Was able to meet my protein (33oz) and water (36oz) minimums, but just barely. Not hungry at all but I definitely wanted something to eat when it was dinnertime - I haven't missed a meal in years until the recent fast day. So I had chicken broth while my family had chicken pot pie. 70 hours post-surgery: gas pain much better. I am now in One-Derland! (So, 3 pounds lost since surgery. Maybe more; I could still be swollen.). Today going to run some errands (I haven't taken any painkillers since the hospital so I'm safe to drive). Will keep up the walking. Will go back to work Monday (I don't have to, but I want to - I'm getting bored at home). Tips: 1. Definitely take the Emend anti-nausea pill, an hour or two before surgery, if prescribed by your surgeon. I balked at the co-pay - $50 for one pill?! - but a new research study says it really cuts dehydration and nausea, on average cutting almost 7 hours from your hospital stay. My nursing team says it makes a huge difference in reducing nausea. So I took it, and had no nausea. 2. Set up your bed at home (with lots of pillows so you can sleep sitting up partially), Protein shakes in the fridge, nightlight, water bottle, barf bowl, good book etc, before you leave for the hospital. You won't want to be stooping and reaching post-op. Consider sleeping on your first floor if your bedroom is up a flight of stairs (although I have stairs and didn't move my bed - everyone's different). 3. In hospital, focus on getting sleep/rest rather than tons of water yet. Your IV will be hydrating you. That dry mouth is from anesthesia, not dehydration. 4. Wear no-skid socks in hospital to prevent falling when you walk around. You'll be pulling along an IV stand and not steady yet. 5. Once you are home (even for the car going home), fill a clear water bottle and mark with a rubber band where you "should" have drunk down to, by four hours from now or whatever. I have 2 small clear mixer bottles I'm using for this, one with water and one with a shake, that have ounce measurement lines on the side. 6. At home: focus on water more than protein shakes. You will get dehydrated faster than you will protein-deprived. 7. Don't let the cats jump onto your belly like I did. Ow, incisions! 8. You may want savory options instead of all sweet Protein drinks. Buy chicken broth and add unflavored Protein powder to it. Just don't heat it to boiling because the protein with denature. 9. I'm a single parent so I loaded up the fridge and freezer with meals my teen could make for herself, since I didn't know if I'd feel like cooking. This might be worthwhile even if there's a second parent in your home. 10. Stand up straight when you walk, and take a few deep breaths. This is supposed to help fully inflate the lungs and avoid pneumonia. It also makes you feel less like an invalid. Knock wood, but I think this is all going well! Next 2 challenges may be: 1. The first post-op bowel movement. I've heard it's a struggle. 2. Lasting 2 weeks on this liquid-only nutrition phase. It's gonna get old. But at 2 weeks I should graduate to puréed foods. Mmm, puréed curry lentils and creamy Soups and eggs...

Maggie, "the wave" is a great way to describe those gas pains! At first I thought it was nausea or hunger, but nope.

My nutritionist explained that they are just fine for sleevers, but not recommended for gastric bypass for this reason. I love them too - sipping one right now in fact.

Second morning home: gas pain much better. I am now in One-Derland! Was able to meet my Protein and Water minimums yesterday, but just barely. Walked 2 miles. Felt strong and clear-headed. I didn't want to run, but walking was no effort. Today going to run some errands (I haven't taken any painkillers since the hospital so I'm safe to drive). Will keep up the walking. Will go back to work Monday (after Wednesday-afternoon surgery).

Jen, when I was in the hospital the day after my surgery, my surgeon, dietician and exercise physiologist all came by to talk/teach. But the next official appts aren't until 2 weeks after surgery. Usually patients get cleared to puréed/soft foods then, and more exercise.

You may want savory options instead of all sweet stuff. Buy chicken broth and add unflavored protein powder to it.

I know we aren't supposed to weigh ourselves for the first week pre-OP (because our bodies are still swollen from surgery), but I just now and had to tell my peeps: I HIT ONE-DERLAND! As G.O.D.* is my witness, I will never weight 200 again. *Gagging Or Dumping - the accountability elves.

Yup! Neighbor's dropped off a homemade chicken pot pie and all I could do was smell it. . Sigh. (They don't know what kind of surgery I had. I feel too defensive to tell people.)

Psst... The other June 2016 sleever thread is here: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/364304-calling-all-june-16-sleevers/page-18

Flexing abs, Gary? You're already posing for bodybuilding photos? Huzzah! I'm 48 hours post-surgery now. I haven't needed the painkillers or anti-nausea meds. I do feel sore "deep" in my stomach, not in the incisions though. Still have gas, feels like a pregnancy contraction but higher up. I just went for a mile walk and had no problems, although I'm moving a little slowly. Did laundry and dishes earlier. In a pinch I could have gone to work - brain not fuzzy at all. Focusing on sip-sip sipping...

Yay, Camber! Truly glad to hear you've made it to the other side. It. Keeps getting better, I hear!

Hoping Camber checks in soon and is doing ok. I am home, tired but enjoying my own couch. Sipping and napping. Still having that sort-of achy pain in stomach, not bad but my brain keeps translating as hunger. Weird. Random observations from the first 24 hours: 1. Definitely take the Emend anti-nausea pill, an hour or two before surgery, if prescribed by your surgeon. I balked at the co-pay - $50 for one pill?! - but a new research study says it really cuts dehydration and nausea, on average cutting almost 7 hours from your hospital stay. 2. Set up your bed at home (with lots of pillows so you can sleep sitting up partially), Protein shakes in the fridge, nightlight, Water bottle etc, before you leave for the hospital. You won't want to be stooping and reaching post-op. Consider sleeping on your first floor if your bedroom is up a flight of stars. 3. In hospital, focus on getting sleep/rest rather than tons of water yet. Your IV will be hydrating you. That dry mouth is from anesthesia, not dehydration. 4. Wear no-skid socks in hospital to prevent falling when you walk around. You'll be pulling along an IV stand and not steady yet. 5. Once you are home (even for the car going home), fill a clear water bottle and mark with a rubber band where you "should" have drunk down to, by four hours from now or whatever. 6. At home: focus on water more than Protein Shakes. You will get dehydrated faster than you will protein-deprived. 7. Don't let the cats jump onto your belly like I did. Ow, incisions! Good luck, all!

This afternoon - and Dr Judy Chen (very happy with her & her team).

Camber, I'm so sorry your first day has been rough! I'm tired (moving slowly) and dry-mouthed, otherwise ok. Walking, peeing, no nausea. ( I credit the pricy Emend pill I took a few hours before surgery. Intended for chemo but my surgeon orders it for gastric surgery.). I'm not in pain, really, more a torso soreness that my brain interprets as... Hunger! Ironic, huh? I am ver, very hungry! I'm on IV fluids but will be focusing today on drinking enough. It's hard, going sip by sip. The worst part so far was the fasting the day before.