Merri Beth

i have sugar free pudding when i crave sweets. I cannot eat the whole cup (I buy the little jello sugar free serving size cups) i have about half and feel full.

To avoid getting frustrated and discouraged I am not getting on the scale except for when i go for Dr appointments. I am just following my program and diet.

i had my surgery at Desert Springs hospital in Las Vegas, the surgeon was from the Surgical Weight Control Center. I cannot say enough good things about the SWCC and the care i received. Everything went smoothly and I did not have the need for any pain meds after surgery. Hospital stay was one day and the care at the hospital was was wonderful, I would highly recommend SWCC and Desert Springs for anyone considering bariatric surgery.

I would definitely go get checked out. I ended up back in the hospital with dehydration and one of things that i noticed was decreased urine output.

I am a couple days shy of one month. My struggle is getting all the fluids in I feel like I am drinking constantly but when i check my intake it seems like it is never enough!

You listed the reasons i went through with the surgery. I am glad i did it. Big adjustment for sure but worth it. I am two days shy of one month so i am in the learning process. I already feel about no carrying so much weight. I have a long way to go but i am on my way!

Don't get discouraged! I felt that way too just prior to starting my pre-op. I was on the liquids for two weeks prior to surgery, I went through the thanksgiving holiday on liquids and I made it, you can too!! Just focus on your goal. I did a lot of praying to get me through that phase. I had my surgery on Nov 29th and so far things have been working out fine. I am now at the soft food stage and the liquids are but a memory. My focus now is making sure i am eating healthy foods with protein and getting my fluids in, you can do this!!!

I did not have any drains after my surgery at all. I had the sleeve though i guess that may be a difference in the need for the drain(s)?

I did do the puree either. I was told by my medical team to begin soft foods 15 days post op. I started the soft foods on Dec 13th. So far so good, have had eggs, spinach, salmon, chicken, carrots, and today i made a ground beef vegetable soup so far tolerated everything well.

i am so sorry to hear this but i do know the complications are real. I pray you overcome this and continue to recover quickly.

I think we all have the tendency to go back to what we know when we get stressed out. I am still new after surgery but i understand what you are saying about not having it around. I cleaned out everything before my surgery and am just reminding myself how sick i was before i had the surgery and that if i buy things i will eat them. I also have a support group here at home that i can call when i feel tempted. I commend you for recognizing what was happening and taking steps to get back on track that is awesome.

i am just on the other side of surgery, starting the soft foods tomorrow, i am following this post I have the same questions about pureed/soft foods.

i did the same thing for a long time avoided the idea of sugery, until finally I had to look at that as an option because nothing else was working, i tried everything. After three Dr. suggested I do the surgery I started to look into it. I had the gastric sleeve on Nov 29th. so far i am doing well. It is taking some time for my energy to come back but otherwise i am feeling good. Already seeing some benefits, my blood sugar is in a good range finally, I am type II diabetic and today got my meds lowered by endo so that made me happy! It is highly personal decision and journey but I am so glad I made the decision to just do it. The weight loss center I went to offers support groups and nutrition classes which are helpful too. I start on soft foods tomorrow, a little apprehensive about that because i don't want to do anything wrong LOL. Congratulations on your upcoming surgery so far so good and I am sure you will do fantastic.

Congratulations!!! That is wonderful and so inspiring. Thank you for sharing

I had horrible gas right after too, i made myself walk, walk, walk. They had us up and walking at the hospital a few hours after surgery and i was miserable with it but kept at it and now the gas gone for the most part. If i sit too long i start to feel the build up and get up and walk. I was scared it would never get better but is has by a long shot. Hang in there it will get less and go away.

i need this do you know what it is called?

You got this. I also have been home with just my cat since the surgery and for me what works is praying. Not to say that is for everyone but it is what works for me. I had my surgery on Nov 29th. I go out and walk or do something else for self care each day. I just came from my post op appointment, so far down 22 lbs. When i start to feel sad i pray and log onto to this site and enjoy the posts and support. You are not alone.

The gas pains have been the worst part of this for me. The gas is finally subsiding for the most part. I still get some pains in left shoulder area which i was told is a common area for the gas to settle, however the pain is less intense and is coming in longer intervals and lasting less time. Thank God! I am one week and one day post op. I was told not to take anything for it though and to walk it off, which does help.

I was so relieved to get to the otherside too! I just had gastric sleeve on 11-29. Tomorrow is one week post op. Each day has gotten better. Just don't forget you have to sip. I drank too big of a drink of water today and whew did i pay for that. Felt terrible for about 30 minute after. You will do wonderful and congratulations for getting to the otherside.

Thank you for sharing. Your story is definitely inspiring and sounds a lot like my past. Congratulations

Honestly, I feel like my whole tean prepared me very well and I don't feel like I am missing anything as of now.

I am having similar but mine is in my left shoulder. I was not aware that gas could settle there so i have been paying attention to when it comes and goes, i am pretty sure mine is gas pains. Once i am able to pass the gas, i notice the pain goes away but then comes back when i consume my liquids if i am not sure to slow waaaay down on the consumption rate. If you feel uncomfortable about what it is i would definitely contact the Dr and see what they recommend.

I had the sleeve on Nov 29th. I also had hiatal hernia repair, which I did not know I even had the hernia so glad they found and repaired that while i was under. I have been on the liquids since Nov 14th. I go back to Dr for check up on Dec 8th. So its liquids until at least that time. The thought of the protein shakes was almost too much, they were so sweet, I had to figure out something. I haven't been told I can have soups. The only addition to the pre-op diet us 1% milk and greek yogurt, non fat, zero sugar. So I was feeling desparate for a change. My friend who is a nurse, put together this mixture for me and it is so much more tolerable and keeps me full. It is one half cup of the unflavored yogurt, one half cup of milk, one protein shake, one scoop of unflavored protein powder all blended in blender. The cosistency is good, the flavor is so much better, the sweetness is cut more than in half. I feel so much more satisfied with this "potion" than any I have tried yet. Once i finish the amount in the blender, I know I have hit 87 GM of protein for the day. My friend did the protein calculations for me to make sure i was getting enough. As for getting through it each day, I pray a lot, and keep my mind focused on the end goal. I am also making sure I rest a lot. I have learned from past surgeries that pushing things to fast always backfires. I am practicing positive thinking and positive meditations as well. This might sound crazy but so far it is working to get me through the days of liquids. Plus, I figure if i made it this far i can do another day, as you said one day at a time, seems to be the best solution! You can do this, you are doing it and that is fantastic.

Thank you I wish you a speedy recovery as well. Sounds like you are doing wonderful!

I pray for everyone to experience the healing power of God.