LookingForward22

Yes - that’s why I added broth in the pre op and went for tomato soup post op. What have you found that helps cut the sweet?

Is that 30 days total (pre and post op) or 30 days post op?

That specific guideline was given for hard boiled eggs, like egg salad (no chunks). I can’t have scrambled eggs until the soft food stage. Program rules vary a lot… like my liquid diet are largely things I can drink through a straw. (Jello and popsicles being the exception). But others allow pudding. Your program might be ok with scrambled eggs in purée stage.

For weight-loss surgery no… but other things yes. I have been able to get exceptions approved by the employer for a surgery and medications that would have otherwise not been covered but they were deemed medically necessary. Your doctors documentation on being medically necessary is the key. Being that there is a time of employment requirement they might stick to that harder than if it was just a matter of policy exclusion or proof of time under a doctors care. The worse they can do is say no. If your doctors are advocating for this to be sooner rather than later and they have strong medical (life sustaining) reasons why waiting would be detrimental, it is possibly a chance worth taking.

You can do it! Mine was 8 days and despite that my “friend” came full force out of nowhere (impeding my weight loss) my liver was “fantastic” according to my surgeon … so in the end it was all worth it. I’m four days away from purée and every time I think about straying from the plan, and believe me today was the hardest…. I think about my surgeon telling me how much of a difference it made for my liver staying on task and that keeping my dedication to the post op plan would pay off in the end keeps me motivated. Keep up the great job - you got this!!

I’m not to my purée yet (next Wednesday) but my guidelines were anything that was the consistency similar to (not chunky) applesauce, babyfood or mashed potatoes. That includes meats, beans (like refried beans), cooked vegetables, eggs only if ground smooth. If it’s possible to call to email your dietitian and run some ideas past them - that might be better than just guessing. I’m starting with things that are specifically listed in my guide and then I will branch out from there depending on what I can tolerate.

Thank you - I don’t feel like I need to go… I can usually tell when there a slow down and it’s time for dulcolax, but not having any solids 11 days now, I’m wondering should I even have anything solid to pass before I get to purées

I had mild reflux and a smaller hernia. My surgeon said there was no benefit to not fixing it and a whole lot worse if I we don’t in the long run. I’m assuming some of my discomfort, breathing are related as much to the hernia repair as the sleeve.

I don’t have answer to your question, but I’m interested in the answer the the diarrhea. I’m the opposite. I haven’t had even a loose bowel movement since like day 6 of the pre-op diet. Passing plenty of gas but no “movement”. I’m assuming it’s because of the liquid diet - but I’m interested in others experience.

Congrats on the NSV!!! I’m looking forward to watching those sizes drop!! I’m not sure if it’s normal or not (the winded part) but those deep breaths are still pinching a little (I’m assuming muscle spasms and tightness). I’m still using my spirometer they sent home and trying to take long slow deep breaths throughout the day to keep my lungs strong. My guess is as the muscles and Internal healing take place those deep breaths will get easier.

Awesome! Love the picture!! :)

I was sleeved on the 16th with a hernia repair. I’m definitely not at my best right now, I’m tired and deep breaths still catch me like a short shot in the ribs sometimes. This first week is bound to be the hardest on us but it’s going to get better in soooo many ways. Try to focus on that when things are feeling bleak. I’m so sorry your team was not more on top of your medications and having you address what you could and couldn’t take or finding alternatives by working with your prescribing dr. Maybe reaching out to your prescribing dr now to ask what you can do to make sure that you stay on top of your meds could offer any help. Maybe even a temporary change of some meds that can be cut or crushed while you heal is possible? The low energy thing - I’m right there with you. So far I have been ok with my protein & water goals but not my calories - so I’m sure that is part of why I’m dragging. The discomfort doesn’t help either. I’m hoping if I can get through this week - the pulling at my sutures when I move certain ways will be less, the purées will mean more calories and having a little more energy. And I’m expecting each week will get a little better. Hang in there, you aren’t alone and we can do this. Updates on how you’re doing would be great when you are filling up to it.

I haven’t experienced real hunger since starting the pre-op liquid diet (mine was 8 days), though head hunger has popped up a few times. I was sleeved on 8/16 and haven’t noticed any restriction either. I’m still on liquids until Wednesday, but it’s been unsettling being able to have a cup of tomato soup and not experience any “fullness” or even drinking water without any issues. While I am grateful I can make my goals with no issues, but have stressed over the lack of restriction. I was told as I progress to purées it should be more noticeable, so for the time being I’m just working to hit my calorie, protein and water goals and trying to keep my servings to 1 cup or less to get used to seeing those serving sizes.

I agree with @kcusker83 - you should talk to your surgeon. Mine went over my meds with me at the pre-op appointment when we scheduled my surgery and gave me a timeline of what I needed to discontinue and then I had a call a few days before where they confirmed what I was taking and when I had stopped certain medication and vitamins.

Don’t be discouraged 5 pounds in 7 days is good progress. My liver was VERY enlarged prior to surgery and there was concern about possibly needing a biopsy to assess the progression of damage (which is what lead me to this surgery). When I got to the hospital I had a 7 pound loss (after an 8 day liquid diet) and thought for sure what I had done wasn’t enough. After surgery I asked my Dr how my liver looked and if they needed to do a biopsy? She told me my liver looked fantastic and I must have really stuck to my diet. No need for a biopsy and she just encouraged me to have the same dedication to the post op diet and I did the pre op and she would expect me to do well. Everyone looses and heals at their own rate. Keep up the good work!

I woke up with one on and it’s been very helpful and at times annoying & irritating. If your team doesn’t recommend one and you feel like maybe you want to wear one, ask them why they aren’t recommending one. They may have a very good reason for it and following your teams plan is always best. Best of luck!

Prayers coming. I’m sure in a few days it will be routine and second nature. I’m worried because I can easily take in my Protein Shakes, soup/broth and Water without restriction. That doesn’t seem “normal”. Im not hungry - I’m just trying to reach my water, calorie and Protein goals for the day. Hopefully when I start purées next week I will notice the restriction and I will stop stressing.

Thank you - those were very helpful suggestions and advice. I know that people mean well (usually) when they offer comfort food. If the show up unannounced I graciously accept and put it in the fridge for later “when I’m feeling up to it” and then share with family or neighbors. I thank them and tell them how delicious it was (based on whoever ate it’s comments) and let them know how much I appreciate it. I’m just rather private and don’t share personal things well… I probably wouldn’t have told many people if I were getting my tonsils out or something equally as benign … so need to know on this seemed natural. It’s not until you aren’t eating as much that you realize how much of life seems to revolve around food!

I did and the unflavored protein powder to my tomato soup and it wasn’t to bad. It did change the taste a little but not enough to make me not want to drink it. I need my fairlife to be REALLY cold, then I’m ok with getting those down. I haven’t really expanded much beyond tomato soup… I figure if I stick with what I know I can tolerate I’ll be safe for the next 8 days. Next Wednesday I start with purées. I’m looking forward to refried beans and hoping I can tolerate those ok for a couple of meals. If I do well with that I will expand little by little. Share when you find combinations you do like, I might find something I haven’t thought to try!

I’m brand new to my sleeve but already I’m feeling what you are saying. Most people know I had a hiatal hernia repair, only very limited few know I had a sleeve done at the same time. Most people also know that I have been working with a nutritionist to try to reverse my fatty liver and that I have been eating differently even before the surgery. Since coming home from the hospital - I keep getting calls like “how are you feeling? When you’re up to I’ll stop by with a jello cake or cheese cake”. Or some other comfort food I couldn’t have had even if I had not been sleeved. Or even offering to bring me a meal. Which is very sweet … but then I need to explain that I’m on a limited diet for a few weeks while I heal and they understand - but they don’t get. I’m nervous about going forward. I’ll be back to a normal diet with smaller portions around the holidays… and I’m scared silly how to navigate those gatherings. That aunt that always comments about your eating (too much or not enough). Hopefully I will have lost a noticeable amount of weight by then - to which that same aunt will be over the top about noticing. I may still be too new to have the “what have I done moment”… I certainly wish I had done it sooner. I’m not sure how I can help - but I’m here if you need moral support! Best of luck. I have no doubt that we’ve got this!

I went into my surgeons office expecting her to want me to choose bypass because of my hi bmi and the fact I’m already taking Pepcid for reflux. She reviewed my medical history and asked me what I wanted. My reply to her was “after reviewing my medical history and your vast experience, what would you recommend for the most successful outcome for me”. She smiled and said I’m so glad you asked me that. Given my high BMI, if my goal was weight-loss alone she would have recommended Duodenal Switch. Then she went over the reasons why she doesn’t recommend that at this time. She then explained why she wouldn’t recommend a bypass for me. And then explained why she would actually recommend the sleeve for me. I was actually relieved because I really preferred the sleeve because of the lower risk and complications out of the three. She told me if I wanted to convert to the DS later we could. But if I put the work in and used my new tool to it’s fullest advantage - I might find that to not be necessary. My husband and I were both on board with what she was saying so that’s the direction we went in. She did a hiatal hernia repair at the same time as my sleeve so the hope is I will be able to transition off of the meds for reflux at some point, but if I can’t so be it. And down the road if I feel like we need to go with another option that’s open to me as well. I’m not really looking forward to another surgery - so I’m hoping this is it. Only time will tell. You have time to decide. No two people have the exact same outcome - so the best anyone can tell you is look at all the information and make the best choice for you. Best of luck.

Glad you are feeling better. Tomorrow (and every day after) gets a little better and a little easier. Today I went for a 15 min stroll around the neighborhood. Taking deep breaths still a little rough, but it’s manageable. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

All plans are different. I had a nutritional supplement in the hospital, but mine allowed me to start them when I got home from the hospital - as long as I could tolerate them. Thankfully I had no problems. Did your practice give you a meal plan or guide to follow?

My had it listed as ok or I wouldn’t have - that and low fat cream soups … but I stuck with the tomato. That was the only real difference from the pre-op diet for me. I stay on liquids for a week, then transition to purées.

The binder helps hold the abdomen tight which helps with pain. I took it off for the first time since surgery when I got into my own bed. It was very bunched up from sitting in the car and at the table and uncomfortable. But when I’m getting up and moving around it helps keep my skin from pulling. Mushroom soups sounds yummy! And to answer your question - yes I’m worried to that I won’t loose weight and I’ll mess this up. How far out from surgery, are you possibly in a stall?