Pete-TheTimeIsNow

3 weeks.

I used to add vanilla-flavored protein powder to the cottage cheese. It would taste much better.

If the chicken is too dry, I've been mixing in some Salsa sauce or low cal Avocado mayo. About two days after I started taking the vitamins, I started getting heartburn at night. So I stopped them for a few days to see if this was the cause. It coincided with me running out of the Nexium the Dr. prescribed after surgery. So this is most likely the cause. But I've read here that some people have to have their vitamins with food in the morning or get heartburn.

I would not go through with the surgery with this doctor. If she is not available now, it is unlikely she will be available after surgery if you have questions or complications. As @Lifestyle Changer said, find out if your insurance covers other doctors, and call them to find out if you have to start the whole process again. Most likely, you need to take your charts over. In my case, I met with my Dr 3 times before surgery (including the 1-week pre-op appt). And then one week post-op, and every month since then, for the first 12 mo. My Dr. also gave me his cell to text him if I have any issues. Different Drs will have different availability, schedules, plans. But you have to feel confident and have trust in your surgical team.

Hope you feel better soon.. My Dr. also sent me home with just Tylenol.. He said that stronger pain meds can worsen constipation.

Hi @Doodle41, welcome to the forum! I paid privately but in the US. This is what I had: Initial appointment with Surgeon. Requested medical clearance from the primary physician (PCP). Gave me a schedule of what would happen for the next month until surgery, what tests, clearances, etc, I needed to get. Appointment with PCP. Blood work, chest x-ray. Referred me to a cardiologist, for cardiac release. Appointment with Cardiologist. EKG, Echocardiogram. Skipped the stress test, since I had one less than a year prior. Endoscopy (performed by VSG surgeon) Appointment with surgeon 1-week pre-op. Zoom call with the psychologist. Surgery. Appointment with surgeon 1-week post-op You still have almost 2.5-3 weeks until surgery. Whatever is missing can still be accomplished, but require transparency from your team.. IMO. If you are not comfortable with the process so far, call your surgical team, and ask them for details as to what's next, and don't be shy to postpone the surgery until you get the answers.

You have to get up and walk as much as you can. The other thing that helped me was drinking water. Just drink 1 oz of water slowly.. it makes the gas in your stomach go up.. and burp. While I was at the hospital, I would sleep for 1 hour, wake up from the pain, drink 1 oz of water, walk 1-2 rounds in the hallways, and possibly ask for pain meds while walking by the nurses' station.... sleep for another hour, and rinse and repeat. I would be walking like a zombie all through the night.. I also used gas-x.. it doesn't make the gas go away, but it makes it use less volume.. so less pain. (It helps some people, and not some others)

I am 5 weeks out. Doctor daily recommendations: 100-120g of protein/day. 800-1000 calories (or 600-800, if I wanted to 'push it') 50% protein, 25% veggies, and optionally 25% carbs. Meal wise: Protein shake for breakfast. Protein shake midmorning, after workout. 2 meals (lunch / dinner) 1 snack. I am currently doing 600-700 cals / day

I use Optimum Nutrition, Vanilla Flavored, added to cottage/ricotta cheese (20-30g protein snack)

I've tried it. Didn't like it. Mixed it with Gatorade (reviews said it was Ok), and it was really bad.

I think it's a combination of factors, IMO. Overweight person has low self esteem, and "settles" for his/her partner. And is more tolerant of the partner's behavior that bother/annoy him/her. Probably thinking: "I am so overweight, I am lucky to have this partner, imperfect as he/she is..." After WLS, their self-esteem goes up, and then comes the thought: "I don't have to put up with this stuff anymore... I'm out of here" And then add, that since they look better physically, they get more attention.. hence more 'opportunities', grass is greener, etc. I looked at the 85% before WLS, and it is a scary number. But.. if you are happy in your marriage, just keep working on keeping it strong. If you are unhappy in your marriage, then work on fixing whatever issues are there WITH your partner.

@Dumbguy Sorry to hear you went through that experience, it is never easy, and it's even worse on the kids. Seems like you are better off without her. And you are focusing on what is important, being a father for your kids when they need you the most. Best of luck!

I'd suggest to check with your surgical team. I had the sleeve, and they prescribed omeprazole. But they told me to open the capsule, and just take the medicine granules inside. I've read of some people, that even while at the hospital were given pills.

During weeks 1-4 if you are on liquids/purees, the restriction won't kick in. You'll feel the restriction when you go on solids. This is why the Dr. suggested to limit the purees by volume, to avoid taking in a lot of cals. (And I guess to train me in the proper portion sizes for later) After the surgery gas dissipated, I haven't experienced stomach pain. While eating or otherwise. Had some discomfort a couple of times when eating puree too fast (big spoonful, not waiting enough time in between) This is more or less what I followed. Week 1. Used a 2oz medicine cup. One every 10-15 minutes. More like 5 minutes toward the end. If too fast, would get stomach pain. Week 2. Liquid diet, protein shakes, etc. I could drink a protein shake (12 oz), in about 30 mins. Just a sip at a time, no particular wait in between. 3-4 shakes per day. Week 3 - 4. Pureed phase. 2 Shakes. 2 snacks. 2 meals (whatever protein was for lunch/dinner, pureed with salsa,broth or mayo). meals limited to 3 fl. oz. (~ 1/3 cup) Week 5. Solids. Dr. suggested 2 shakes, 1-2 snacks, and 2 meals. Meals consisting of 4 oz total. 2 oz protein, 1oz vegs. and 1 oz carbs (optional).

I can't drink water.. I used to drink a lot of water pre-op.. But after the surgery water tastes quite weird to me. So, I've been using crystal lite, gatorade zero, diet iced tea, etc. Waiting for the 'temporary' to pass.

Surgery recovery varies between different persons. Also, if you have Hiatal Hernia repaired with the surgery, you may be in pain longer. I had lots of gas pain for 2 days. I work from home, so I started working half day 3 days post op. and full time 4 days post-op. The lack of energy would hit me around 8-9 pm, when my eyes would just close no matter where I was. After 1 week, for me, the fatigue went away. (after starting protein shakes).

Hang in there.. Focus on your protein and water intake, up your exercise as much as you can (within the limits set by your Dr.).. if you are on puree phase, make sure the portions are the correct size/volume... I lost like 3 lbs by the time I got back from the hospital.. but after that... the weight remained constant for 10-12 days.. and then it started coming off.

This happened to me 1-1.5 weeks before surgery. I was on 2 BP meds. But maybe due to the weight I lost during the pre-op, or maybe due to the liquid diet (low sodium maybe).. my BP started to go super low (~90.60), I stopped both BP meds, and my BP went up to normal... Have you checked your BP?

Most of what I've read here in the forums it runs around 60-80g / day.... My surgeon recommended 120g / day. But it is hard for me to drink 4 protein shakes / day. What was your recommended protein goal? Thanks!

Thanks for all the responses. I have 2 more daysof just shakes..I'll follow the dr's instructions.. It seemed at first glance, that 120 g on week 2 was a bit higher than what Ihad seen here in the forums. @Sunnyway, @TheRealPennyD, thanks for the suggestions.Even though I am starting purees soon, I think I'll keep having 1-2 shakes/protein sources per day to ensure I meet the daily protein goal.. @vikingbeast, thanks for the info. I asked my Dr, and he says that the high recommended daily protein was because the results of my body composition anaylsis showed that I had a higher than usual muscle mass, and he wanted to keep as much as possible of that for when I started working out. Onward and forward!

Yes, allowed to have soup, but the dr asked me to focus on the protein shakes for this week.

I'd suggest going to ER rightaway. They can do an ultrasound, and see if it is a DVT.

I got the sleeve. My surgeon was very conservative. He says that his main goal was to protect the stitches the first 1-2 weeks, to let them heal without solids getting stuck in there, and irritating the lining.. My diet (after sleeve), was 3 days clear liquids (no protein).. 4 days of clear protein drinks. And then 1-2 weeks (not sure) of full liquid diet (protein shakes, etc). In any case, all surgeons have dfifferent playbooks.. you should ask/follow yours.. Best of luck next Wednesday!

Hi! Quick question for those who were on CPAP on the day of surgery. Did you take your CPAP machine for the hospital stay. Did you use it while at the hospital? Thanks!

Glad you all are feeling better! The first 1-2 days are usually the worst. For nausea my Dr. prescribed Zofran (Ondansetron) 3 times/day for a week (I think). It has worked well (except the one time I missed a dose )