darnlochnessmonster

Double check with your surgeon's office to make sure they don't have a list of preferred providers. I had only a short list of options I could choose from. You don't want to waste your time and money if you have to choose from practitioners chosen by your surgeon

I'm having some persistent pain in my lower right abdomen, below and slightly to the right of my large incision (the big one of the four). The incision itself looks and feels normal and is pain free. It's healing up really well and at the same pace as my other incisions. The pain is minimal while I'm in a relaxed position like on my back in bed (1 on a scale of 1 to 10), increases to a 2-3 while sitting down, and 7+ when I bend over, twist, or move to sit up or down. No redness or noticeable swelling anywhere in the area. Pain feels similar in nature to a menstrual cramp, but it's constant and in a concentrated area about the "size" of the palm of my hand. This has been ongoing for several days now. Any thoughts on what it could be? (Please note, I did leave a message with my doctor's office already - just waiting to hear back).

Yes, I do. Luckily no fever or vomiting, so it looks like it's a slightly less likely cause. (Though I have always been a little paranoid about it. Potentially deadly vestigial organs stress me out.)

Yes, my surgeon's office does gallbladder imaging/testing before surgery and mine was good. I was also given a gallstone preventative to take for the 6 months post surgery. I think also my pain is a bit too low for the gallbladder - this is closer in line to my belly button than my ribs.

Hello, everyone! I was sleeved on Wednesday, 4/26 at 10:30AM at Highland Hospital in Rochester, NY. My surgeon was Dr. William O'Malley. I was a bit of a wreck when I went in for pre-op. I was crying a lot because I was really scared of anesthesia. This was my first experience ever being knocked out for more than just a few moments (previously, I've only ever had my wisdom teeth removed). The nurses were really supportive and I had a good experience meeting my anesthesiologist. We discussed getting something to calm me down even before we left the pre-op area - I accepted enthusiastically. I was aware of the "ride" over to the operating room but didn't feel anxious thanks to the drugs. I remember sliding onto the operating table and an oxygen mask coming to my face. After that, I was in a recovery room answering what my pain level was (I seem to have said 7, but I don't remember that at all). Next, I was in my room and it was about 2:00 pm. I struggled hard with nausea. I was warned by my anesthesiologist that I was at one of the highest risk groups for nausea due to the drugs - young, female, non-smoker (I'm 27). He was spot on. For the first night and day in the hospital, I felt nauseous frequently and vomited several times. If you vomit, don't empty your bucket yourself - it's important that your nurses can take a quick look to make sure that what's coming up is innocuous (in this case, a little blood from the tube placed in my throat during surgery and stomach acid). Vomiting was...horrible. Not only is it the regular ick of throwing up, but it was also very painful for my incision sites. I was given meds for nausea and vomiting, but ultimately we discovered that the drug I was given to help the nausea and vomiting was actually contributing. The drug was Phenergran and I know now that it doesn't agree with my system. Once we switched to a new drug, the vomiting essentially disappeared and the nausea improved a lot. The items I found most useful to have with me at the hospital were: Biotene spray with mint flavor (between dry mouth and vomiting, it was wonderful to have), an electric heating pad, my own pillow, new pack of underwear, and my own nightgown. I had also brought my laptop, cell phone, mini toiletries and a few other things, but didn't end up using them at all. My pain control medications (hydrocodone) make me very sleepy, and I wasn't really awake for more than just a few minutes at a time. The fresh pack of undies was great for morale as I needed a catheter for the first 36 hours because I couldn't seem to void my bladder on my own at first due to anesthesia. This process was not at all painful for me, likely because the drugs had me so relaxed. If I'd been more awake/aware I imagine it could have been quite uncomfortable. The items I'm finding most useful at home are my microwave heating pad - I use the Carex Bed Buddy Back Wrap. The warmth is really soothing to the gas bubbles and the gentle weight provides good compression that's not too much or too little. It makes a world of difference and I can't recommend it enough. I was also sent home with 7 different prescriptions - something for pain, nausea, vomiting, blood-clot prevention, vitamins, a stool softener, and another that I can't remember. The blood clot prevention drug is a shot that I can inject into my self in the back of the arm, belly, or thigh. I have an incredibly supportive SO who does this for me. I will need to use it for 10 days. It's not too bad - obviously the nurses were a lot better at th einjection, but for a complete novice it's still relatively pain free and tolerable. I'm hoping to return to my desk job on Wednesday, 5/3 exactly one week after my procedure. However, I'll continue to assess this on a day by day basis.

I've been having a similar pain all week after going back to work. I was off yesterday and today, so I've just been resting up and taking it nice and easy. It's helping! Let yourself relax for a day or two and see if you have any improvement

Struggled with this too! I take the prescription stool softener the hospital provided, plus two metamucil at night. My doctor also recommended adding a probiotic to restore healthy gut flora. This is a little weird, but if you have a small stool, when you're ready to go, put your feet up on the stool while you're on the toilet so you recreate a sort of squatting position. It really helps your body naturally move everything along without the need to use the abdominal muscles to "help". I made the idiot mistake of forcing myself to go after 8 days and may have popped a stitch.

Yes ma'am! I don't have the Mirena, I have the Nexplanon Implant. When I first got it about 5 years ago I was already close to my heaviest weight and had been on DepoProvera so my periods just stopped entirely. 1 week after surgery I got my period, and then just yesterday it came again! I've been using the Glow app to track all of this so I can start to identify patterns and see how it normalizes as my weight goes down. If I could make a recommendation for sanitary napkins, I've just discovered Always Maxi Size 5 Extra Heavy Overnight Pads with Wings - the coverage is fantastic for plus size undies!

If you regularly menstruate, you may also be at a point in your cycle where you gain a little extra. On average, I gain 2 - 5 lbs in the 10 to 5 days before my period starts. It returns to normal the day my period comes. That could be a factor too!

I can fully attest to the acid mimicking hunger issue. In fact, you can find on these forums a panicked post of me thinking I destroyed my sleeve by drinking pineapple juice and causing me to feel hungry (good grief - I was a mess!) If you feel hungry, make sure (1) you remembered to take your acid reducers/blockers and (2) you're aware of any foods you may be consuming that cause you to produce extra acid.

Are you allowed broths at all? I made my own bone broth because I was also craving something savory and still needed protein. My boyfriend picked up some beef bones from the meat market and we made a fantastic broth. Quick directions/"recipe" Sprinkle beef bones with a little salt and pepper and roast at 400 degrees F for about 40 minutes. Put roasted beef bones into a slow cooker with a few cups of water and some flavor enhancers of your choice. I used garlic, onions, carrots, a little more pepper and paprika. Simmer on high for 6 - 8 hours. Strain out all the solids. The broth will gel up when it cools, which is the collagen from the bones. It's a good source of protein and calcium. Think of it as beef stew without the actual beef!

I like the really mild chocolate flavor of Muscle Feast Hormone Free Chocolate Whey Protein Isolate. I'm not sure I would have liked it pre-op because I was SO addicted to sugar (at that time, only Carnation Instant Breakfast would do) but it's great now I've had the vanilla as well, and it tastes a bit like a sugar cookie. I think when I'm cleared to begin more fruits I'll be able t make some really yummy flavors with it - strawberries and cream and an orange creamsicle come to mind!

I can't speak to Mexico specifically, but here are some items I found really helpful when I was sleeves 3 weeks ago: 1. Electric heating pad 2. Sleeveless nightgown 3. My favorite pillow with a colored pillowcase (so the nurses knew it came from home) 4. Brand new pack of underwear (just felt good since I couldn't shower until it was time to leave) 5. Flip-flops for walking around. The socks with grippies just didn't do it for me. 6. Check-list of phone numbers for my boyfriend to call to let everyone know I was ok. I divided it up between "Text" and "Call" and included my closest friends, parents, and work team. When I was in recovery he was getting all the congratulatory/good luck/rooting for you notes on my behalf It was great to fully wake up to. 7. Loose yoga pants for going home. Your tummy may be bloated from all the gas used during the procedure. 8. Biotene. Your mouth gets dry from surgery and you may not be able to get up to brush. The minty biotene covers you for both 9. If you use a CPAP and your hospital allows you to bring your own, DO IT. I had a strong reaction to the anesthesia, so I slept for basically the entire first day. The second day I was able to stay awake and alert for longer stretches, but not enough to read or watch tv or use my laptop. I used my phone a little to check Facebook and Pinterest, but I barely remember.

I had to attend a seminar to be accepted into my surgeon's office. The reasoning behind the nutrition program was explained to me as teaching you the basic tools you'll need to be successful after surgery - logging your meals, eating smaller portion sizes, learning nutritional value for food, etc. The surgery is a big commitment, and if you can't commit to a journal then you likely can't make the bigger commitment or changing your lifestyle. I think in a way it's meant to "weed out" the people who aren't ready and make the people who are more successful. You don't need to worry that a little healthy weight loss in the WW program will disqualify you for the surgery - you're just showing you take this process seriously and can be successful. I had all the same fears you did, and I talked to both my surgeon's office and an amazing rep from my insurance carrier. She (the rep) pretty candidly explained that obesity costs a lot of money - heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, sleep apnea, heart disease, hypertension, all of those other diseases and treatments and drugs - and comparatively the surgery costs a lot less. They want you to have the surgery and save them money, but only if you can show them you're a good candidate. You've got this. You can do it.

The vomiting was the worst. Mine was likely caused by the (then unknown) allergy to Phenergan. As soon as we removed it from my medication rotation, it stopped completely. Hope your recovery is going well!

Hello everyone! I'm about 3 1/2 weeks post-surgery (sleeved on 4/26) and I wanted to share with you all some resources I've found helpful in tackling this part of the journey. Apps/Websites Labdoor.com (Free) - "Labdoor is an independent company that tests supplements. We find out whether products have what they claim and if any harmful ingredients or contaminants are present. Then, we grade and rank those products, write reports, and publish that information for free, so consumers can confidently buy the best supplements for their health." My surgeon and medical team has me on a daily multivitamin, B-complex supplement, probiotics, calcium + vitamin D, iron, and a protein drink. I used Labdoor to find the best ones for me. ***The top protein was Muscle Feast Whey Protein Supplement so I bought it and I recommend it. The flavor is really mild, like a watered down chocolate milk. It mixes really well in my blender bottle, and there's no added sugar. Thumbs up! Amazon Subscribe & Save (Prime) - All those supplements are expensive, so I use the subscribe & save feature on Amazon to get the 15% off and the supplements get delivered every other month. It still kind of costs an arm and a leg, but if you already have Prime it's really worth it to get the extra 15% savings, plus then you don't have to worry about running out because it ships automatically. My "mini-pharmacy" (as my boyfriend and I lovingly call it) is set to arrive tomorrow. MyFitnessPal Premium - I used the free version of MyFitnessPal for the year leading up to my surgery and it was great. I decided to go with premium after surgery since there are such specific needs with grams of protein and carbs and stuff. The main difference (for me) with the free vs. paid is that I can set more personalized goals (ex: 70 grams protein, less than 50 grams of carbs) and track the nutrients I actually care about; carbs, protein, fat, sugar and nutrients/vitamins. It also allows you to change the names of meals in your diary so instead of using breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I use blocks of time like 7AM - 9AM, 9AM - 11AM, 11 AM - 1PM, etc. Since I don't eat traditional meals/snacks yet, this works much better for me. Glow App (Free) - A period/fertility app. At my highest weight(s) I stopped menstruating as the result of my weight and my form of birth control (Nexplanon Implant). I would still experience some PMS symptoms but not menstrual fluid, so I had no idea what to expect with my cycle post-surgery. Since my period did return (just one week after surgery) I wanted to be able to properly track it and Glow has been fantastic. It's easy to use, the app is attractive, you can set it to "avoiding pregnancy", "trying to conceive", and "pregnant/nursing". It gives you helpful insights based on your unique circumstances, like if you have Poly-cystic Ovarian Syndrome for instance. It also syncs up with MyFitnessPal which sends your weight data - this has been great for me because back in the day, I would consistently gain about 2 pounds of water weight right before my period which gives me a warning it may be coming. Gadgets Garmin Index Smart Scale - First off, I'm a total nerd for data. I love charts and statistics and graphs. BUT, I hate calculating those things myself. I really enjoy math, but those things are usually just a bit above my level of ability. So, I really love things that figure the data out for me. So this scale measures weight, body fat, BMI, bone mass, lean muscle mass, and hydration. I find the weight, body fat and hydration most useful. It reports automatically to the Garmin Connect app via Bluetooth or wifi, and I sync that directly into MyFitnessPal. You can set up multiple profiles, so it recognizes individual users. I have a profile for myself and my boyfriend (and also my cat because he likes to sit on it). Garmin VivoFit - A more affordable version of the Fitbit that syncs up with the Index Smart Scale perfectly. The reason I chose this activity tracker is because it syncs with the scale and MyFitnessPal and I don't need any of the more advanced features that other trackers come with. I love that it gives you a little warning light and beep after being inactive for too long which is a good reminder to get up and away from my desk and take a short walk. I also like that it sets walking goals for each day based on my habits. The app that collects the data from both the tracker and scale is great and easy to use, it even measures my sleep! HydroSpark Water Bottle - This hasn't arrived yet because it's on back order but I saw an ad for it on Facebook and wanted to give it a try It's a water bottle that measures your daily water intake and can report it to MyFitnessPal. Like I said, I love data but I'm terrible at recording it myself, so I like that it's automatic. Really the water was the only missing piece of my health tracking puzzle, so I'm excited to see how it works out. Supplements ***Note, these are what I picked based on my individual needs and Labdoor ranking information. I'm a 27 year old woman without other major health concerns except anemia. Your needs will likely differ, this is just a quick look at what works for me. 1. Citracal with Calcium D Slow Release 1200 2. Garden of Life Vitamin B Complex (Vegan) 3. Garden of Life Whole Food Probiotic Supplement - Primal Defense ULTRA 4. Garden of Life Multivitamin for Women (Vegetarian) 5. Celebrate Iron+C (Chewable - Mandarin Orange) 6. Metamucil Fiber Capsules 7. Muscle Feast Hormone Free Chocolate Whey Protein Isolate 2lb I hope you find at least one thing that's helpful to you. I'm a research fanatic, so if you have any questions about other stuff - please ask! I may have already looked into it and can share at least a little insight

Today I am 6 days post-op. For the previous 5 days I haven't had any real desire to eat or drink anything. No real appeal in eating, and in some cases, thinking about foods made me feel a little queasy. Today - I feel hungry. I had a 5.3oz yogurt for breakfast (took about 90 minutes to eat, I think from about 7:30 to 9am). It is not just after 10:30 and my tummy and mouth say "eat!" Logically, I know that I have only consumed 120 calories today and I need to continue to eat and sip small amounts to heal but a part of me is thinking "This is how it starts all over again. You're hungry all the time. You won't stop eating. You'll gain every ounce back and THIS WAS FOR NOTHING." This paranoia is compounded by the fact that I had, what I believe, was my first case of extremely mild dumping syndrome. I had been having trouble finding any drinks appealing and thought a very watered down bit of pineapple juice would do the trick - I was right. I had about 1/2 cup pineapple juice to 2 cups water over the course of a few hours. FOr those who don't know, a serving of pineapple juice can exceed 30 grams of sugar. I expect I may have had about 10. I've now become obsessed with the idea that my pineapple juice has reawakened the sugar demon and all is lost. I know that sounds incredibly dramatic, but I've noticed over the last few days that these kinds of fears keep sprouting up. I can't shake this fear that this isn't a fresh start, just a pit stop on the same ol', same ol. Ugh. Anyone else dealing with similar feelings? How did you cope?

I did forget my antacid this morning, though I'm not familiar with a PPI?

I've been getting what I would call "pre-headaches", that feeling of almost-wooziness where you know it could turn into pain. I've learned that's my sign I'm not eating/drinking enough. The first day or two I managed to have 2 protein shakes each day, maybe a glass of Crystal light. DEFINITELY not enough. In the next few days it would be more like 1 shake, 1 yogurt, 1 juice. I'm still struggling really, really hard to get enough nutrients to avoid the "pass out" feeling. Maybe this is happening for you too? Do you think you're getting enough fluids?

I'm 5 days out from surgery (sleeved on the morning of 4/26) and I'm struggling with eating/sipping. I'm on a liquid diet that does include sugar-free pudding or yogurt if I want it. It seems that for about 4 - 5 of every 10 nibbles/sips I experience a pain. It happens no matter the type of food (full liquid or yogurt), the size of bite/sip, the temperature, etc. I guess it sort of feels like a big, nasty gas bubble? Like the food is hitting a super tough pocket of air or meeting some kind of resistance on it's way down? Has anyone else experienced this? Is it a cause for concern that I should reach out to my doctor before my check-up on Wednesday?

I had planned to go back to work after one week - sleeved on 4/26 and back at my desk on 5/3. I figured being young and healthy would mean a quick and easy recovery. I wasn't totally right about that assessment... I have a follow-up appointment on 5/3 so I'll talk with my doctor then, but my new plan is for Sunday 5/7. I have an office job that doesn't have any real physical demands, but I'm still in a good amount of pain and struggling to get enough food and liquid in any given day. Sometimes the thought of needing to eat or drink makes me a little queasy.

Hmm, not itching but almost a stinging sensation if I touch them a little too aggressively. They aren't red or swollen, and look to be healing well though. As for gas and bloating? YES. I feel like you could pop my tummy like a balloon and I would float off like a Macy's parade balloon. I think I'm due to have the staples removed on Wednesday afternoon, exactly 7 days post-op.

It doesn't feel like it's in the middle of my chest, more like where I assume my esophogus and stomach come together? Almost like the path is too narrow. For example, did you ever have that quick gut punch feeling from chugging a liquid (especially soda) too fast right at the tippy top of your stomach? Or drink something carbonated while reclined? It's a lot like that. Not a perfect comparison, but close.

Stool softeners twice a day. I think they're finally really kicking in and helping. Sorry you had to deal with constipation THEN diarhea!

I too am very sick of sweet stuff and the same flavors over and over (what a surprise, everything is strawberry, chocolate, or vanilla!). I'm making some bone broth right now to help with a bit of variety. My SO picked up beef bones from our local meat market, they're going in the over to roast for about 40 minutes, then straight into the crockpot with some garlic, onions, and carrots and a pinch of seasoning. When I have a serving, I'll add some unflavored protein powder. The collagen from the marrow is supposed to be pretty helpful in soothing the tummy!