aTXtumbleweed

I had my sleeve done 8/13. On 8/24 I started throwing up blood. I was in ICU for two weeks. I had a two inch tear in the staples. I have no idea how that happened - I was following the liquid diet and was having trouble getting all the liquid protein required each day. I have two stents in my stomach holding the wall together and the leak has gone down, but still a trace. I was in the hospital over three weeks. I've been home 10 days and I go back to the hospital Monday to get the stents removed. I'm NPO and have a j-tube for how long I don't know. This was not the journey I signed up for.

I know, I know, I was told to NOT use a straw. I wasn't getting enough fluids and always do better if I use a straw so I did. O.M.Gosh - My pain was almost gone and now I have this stupid pain in my shoulder, belly and back - worse that any other pain I've had so far. OK, now I know why they told me to not use a straw!! I hope this goes away soon!!

I have sleep apnea and use a cpap machine and I did not have to be retested. Just brought my machine with me in the hospital. I was also going to WW and I did have to go through all the NUT training - and believe me it was all geared for the sleeve and stuff you need to know.

They told us to "practice" with the different protein drinks before the surgery so we would know which ones we liked. Trouble is my taste changed after the procedure not sure if it is the pain med or what. My RN told me monday to go get some ISOPURE clear - Each bottle is 40 grams protein. It does have a flavor that I still don't like but I mix it half and half with something else fruity - right now it is V8 Juice (banana and veggs) with is a stronger taste than the ISOPURE so I'm able to drink that down just fine. It is 12 bottles for 49.00 at the vitamin store. A little high, but I had to do something because every thing else was making me gag. And I have all this other protein stuff around now that I just wasted my money on.

I was scared also. To the point I was shaking all the time. I'm one week out today. I'm 60 so my energy level is not back up where it should be, but all in all I'm doing good. I struggle with getting the protein down, for some reason the protein drinks I like before the surgery - I absolutely gag on now. The Pain has been manageable - in fact no pain meds needed today. I gained weight in the hospital and I finally lost that as of this morning... thank goodness. Hang in there - it is normal to be scared / nervous. Just get through the 1st week and things will start to get back to normal!

8-13

How far out are you? I'm only 5 days post op and the air I got in my chest was really painful - all through the night - it is just now starting to get better. I hope down the road I can go back to using a straw but won't try it again until everything is healed.. Lucky you if you can use a straw and not get the pain!!

Ok, is this normal?? I gained 7.8 lbs while I was in the hospital. Surgery was Tuesday, I only had water, small container of apple juice and ice chips while I was in the hospital. Came home yesterday and took it easy only drinking water. Weighed myself this morning thinking I would have another large loss and I GAINED over seven pounds!! WTF Tell me this is normal??

Glad your mom and you figured it out. When the kitchen sent up my food for dinner It was chicken noodle soup not just chicken broth. I knew I couldn't eat the noodles and didn't but it freaked out my RN when she saw my soup had noodles in it. For those who are still waiting for surgery, It is important to know what you can and can't have before the surgery and don't assume that if they give it to you it is ok to have. Be your own advocate!!

Glad it is not a Friday the 13th!! I'm so nervous I'm breaking out in little red bumps on my arms. I hope that doesn't cause a problem - it is normal for me when I'm stressed out. Surgery is 7:15 am. See you on the other side!!

Good Luck tomorrow!! Happy new beginnings!

My surgery is Tuesday (13th) and I'm down 9 lbs in less than two weeks on the pre op diet. That would be 18 lbs a month (if I could maintain that rate) and I only need to lose 135 lbs!! Won't take me long ... right? I'm starting to wonder why I'm having surgery if I can lose weight on my own!! Then I remind myself that I can't (or wouldn't) stay on this diet ~ if I wasn't having surgery. This weight loss is not sustainable - for me anyway. Once I start to eat normal again I'll gain any weight loss right back. I know me - I need the help for the long haul. What bugs me is that the diet is so much less food than I'm used to eating daily and I've ONLY loss 9 lbs. Should be more like 20 if you ask me!! LOL Any one else start to have doubts about having the surgery when they see the weight lost on the pre op diet?

Wow, Congratulations!! That is amazing. I hope I have the same success you are having.

You must be in my area - my diet is exactly the same. I'm having mine done at Baylor of Grapevine. Aug 13.

Please add me also. Surgery is 8/13 (thank goodness this is not a friday) aTXtumbleweed@yahoo.com

Surgery Date is 8-13. I start my preop diet on Tuesday.

Thanks for posting this. I'm printing it out and placing it on my fridge to remind me every day that this is just a TOOL. If I don't use it right - I will fail.

Good Luck!! Your preop diet looks better than mine. I start mine on Tuesday, protein shakes, yogurt, strained soups, SF jello or pudding. For...Two...Weeks!!! Uggg But I'm going to do it and I'm going to stick to it!!

That is odd. I had a band and it moved up above the stomach and I had to have it removed. My surgeon said he is doing more removals of the band than installing the band. I had so much trouble with the band and put up with it for almost 10 years before I finally had it removed.

I'm scheduled for 8-13! Excited, but then I also found out that I've lost my job effective 8-6 so insurance is only going to only last until November then I'm on my own. Have been checking out the cost of insurance and not sure if it would just be cheaper to pay for the follow up appointments (scheduled for a year out) on my own or buy the insurance!! This is added stress that I don't need right now!! LOL

That must be scarey. Is there anyone around that can help you - a help desk or security? Let us know your ok. I can't find any information online for you that will help.

August 13th can't come soon enough. I start the preop diet on July 30th!