momof3_angels

Thanks. Yes, I have looked at what they have to offer. An MVI bag (banana bag) is nice, but really all I want is a liter of normal saline! It IS expensive, but cheaper (in some cases) than a co-pay to an ER/Urgent care... and without wasting resources needed for SICK patients. Still... don't know if I am ready to go there!

Just curious if any of you have gone to an IV bar to help with hydration. If so, how was your experience with it? I am tempted, but resistant lol. I know I am dehydrated, but not to the point of going to an urgent care. I feel like getting a 1 liter bag of IV fluids would make me feel so much better, but don't know if I am ready to jump right in with a place that isn't really a hospital/urgent care. I also don't like that they let the bags go in over an hour... although I am sure my kidneys/heart can handle it... I just prefer slow and steady.

They are called IV Bars (the old name for them anyway) because they were originally opened to use IV fluids to treat hangovers. I do not think they are well regulated, but some have good oversight (have to do your research). They have expanded their businesses to hydrate for a multitude of reasons and many are overseen by actual medical professionals now. In general, they are a trendy waste of money because most people can hydrate on their own... and if they can't, they usually need medical attention. But... seeing as how bariatric patients can't always take in enough fluids, it kind of seems like a waste of medical resources to go to an urgent care/ER when you can just go to these places. Personally, I have the medical knowledge to know what to look for while there and proper procedures. Just don't know if I am ready to trust them lol

It might just be your stomach still making noises just because. That is what mine seem to be. But when I think they might be "hunger" related, I drink something. Thirst is often confused with hunger... even for non bariatric people. We just were never taught to try to drink first to see if it is really thirst or hunger, so we usually go for food.

I am doing the sugar free jello, yogurt, and protein bars as a "sweet treat" for now. Eventually I will have a little treat, but it is far too soon for me right now.

I should add... I have been a little behind in fluids ever since surgery... as my stupid day shift nurse didn't up my fluids post-op like she was supposed to. I noticed, but was still too out of it to advocate for myself. The night nurse caught it, but I think I was already behind by then. And not dissing on nurses... husband and I are both nurses... just didn't like my day shift nurse... had her after surgery and the next morning and was less than thrilled with her both days. Luckily hubby was taking better care of me, as did the night shift nurse.

Good luck to all of you having surgery this week!

Oh... I forgot to add... she highly recommends putting all fluids in crushed ice. She says that her patients usually get more fluids in that way... I do like it better when I put my protein shakes and vitamin water in crushed ice, I tolerate their taste better. I did have to stop drinking my chocolate shakes, I can't tolerate them like before. I am OK with vanilla.

I am 7 weeks out and still struggling with water intake! Getting a water bottle with time/amount markers was VERY helpful for me. I find that I do best when I drink as much water/fluid as possible BEFORE eating anything solid. Once I start eating solids I start getting behind and never quite catch up. Just know that you can count ALL fluids you take in. You want your primary source to be water... but sugar free vitamin water, sugar free Gatorade, protein shakes, and broths can all be counted! At least, my nutritionist counts them. I was worried until after I talked to her... she was good once she took everything else into account. I do find that my best meal days are meals that are in at least a little fluid... (soups/chili etc)

I am 7 weeks out. I bought a nutri bullet before surgery and have begun using it and LOVE it! It has the motor base, and uses a cup with a blender lid. It is SO EASY to use! I have decided to follow Dr Vuong's (youtube him) advise and do a "green smoothie" for breakfast, a big ass salad for lunch (lol... although I am not at that point yet) and a healthy dinner. I am mixing spinach/kale with fruit and a protein shake for now. I think the cup is maybe 32oz... I don't fill it to the top... just near the fill line before mixing and of course it expands a little. Blend it until it is thin enough for me to get down... then drink it over an hour or so. This way I am getting 30 grams of protein along with a serving of fruit and half to one serving of veggies. Love it so far! What I struggled with was following recipes... for me... Dr. Vuong's recipe books for green smoothies make 4 servings. Instead I am just throwing in smaller amounts. I find that having a variety of frozen fruits is the way to go. I was planning to do fresh fruits but realized that I would waste too many so frozen works much better. Plus... they have nice mixes of frozen fruits already available.

With the 13 year old just be honest, as teens want basic facts. With the 6 year old let them know the doctor is going to fix your stomach so you start feeling better and healthier, but that you will be sore and tired for a few weeks. Answer questions for both as age appropriate. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I went on trips at 3 and 5 weeks post op. At 3 weeks I drove 6+ hours to havg out at the beach. It was a nice trip but exhausting. I didn't do a whole lot and had to rest a lot while I was there, and needed a couple days to recover when I got home. At 5 weeks I drove 8 hours to take my daughter to a Disney where she was scheduled to perform with dance. I was able to do everything I wanted to do... but again needed a few days to recover. I did use wheeled luggage to minimize carrying heavy things. Biggest challenge was eating. Brought some food with me but also struggled to find food that was good for me at my stage while there. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Every doc is different. Mine went from clear to full liquids then soft then regular foods by a month. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

That is awesome! I am at about the same place as you... and just reach my halfway weight too.

I do agree with others that there may just not be enough food in your belly depending what stage you are in and what diet you are on. If I go too long without a BM(which for me is about 5 days), or if I definitely feel constipated, I personally use Milk of Magnesia. So far it has been gentle on my stomach. I take it either at night and have a BM in the AM or in the AM on a day where I am not worried about when it will kick in. But even when it does kick in... it isn't an urgent thing. It works by pulling fluid into your intestines which is often what you need after surgery because we tend to be dehydrated. Miralax wasn't doing it for me. But most importantly, increase your fluid intake if at all possible!

Oh... and I cant eat and get a whole shake in at the same time. Takes an hour to get the whole shake in. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

It is breakfast for me... then real food the rest of the day. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I am 6 weeks out today. Drinking fine but not the full 64 oz... but nutritionist was happy with my intake. I can eat soft foods no problem, and most chicken if it isn't too firm or ground beef. I usually eat 3-4 oz of food but a little more if it is something like a soup with liquid. I have found d I do not do well with foods I really should t eat (learned that when trying to find food at Disney last week). Example, battered fried fish or corn dog or anything with unhealthy carbs. I am fine with soft fruits and veggies. But a salad wasn't a good choice lol. There are plenty of foods I haven't tried yet and find my tastes are changing. At home my favorite is homemade chili because it has some non meat protein along with the ground beef and because it has liquids I feel like I can get more in. I such at tracking my food. I am starting to have lots of energy, but then busy days wipe me out. Weight loss is going at a great pace considering I started at a lower BMI. I did stall last week but this week I am losing well again. I am down 44 pounds since May 20 with over half of that since surgery. I have gotten small enough that nothing fits which is a good dilemma. Finally have no residual pain when I do something that pulls at the main incision. Getting into a good walking routine and hope I can continue with this progress when I go back to work. Grateful that my doc gave me 8 weeks off. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Sounds like GERD to me. Like suggested above... try tums and let your doc know. Also, make sure you are sitting up for a while after any intake. Maybe eat drink slower. And smaller amounts. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

My symptoms were minimal. But my main incision did hurt. Rare nausea. Otherwise good. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

My husband was as supportive as he could be while wishing I wasn't having surgery. He definitely expressed that I shouldn't do it. He was scared of complications and death. I had to appease him and prepare things for him in case I died (I do the banking and he doesn't know what I do lol) and sign a new will for him all while rolling my eyes. In the hospital he was attentive and helped me. Still scared of complications but relieved I survived. Now he is a little more supportive but won't stop buying **** I cant eat. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

My husband, daughter and a select few work friends initially. I just told both of my sons who don't live with me 4+weeks later. I am guessing the rumor mill has started at work. I don't intend to tell other family. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I can eat tomatoes already, and cucumbers (easier without the skins). Haven't tried the harder veggies yet. I am 1 month post op (4 1/2 weeks)

I am and plan to for the 1st couple months. Then I am going to transition to small 3 times daily capsules until I can do the once a day large capsule. I already know I cant swallow any bigger pills... so that's why chewable work for now. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I am 4 weeks post up. My nutritionist finally told me my diet should be 25% or less carbs, 25-30% fats, and the rest lean proteins. This is based on overall diet portions. How many grams depends on how many calories you are supposed to eat. There are calculators online to figure that out. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app