LAN2k

Thanks Swiftflow and Daisy.

Don't feel bad Angie, I had my surgery done at hospital 40 minutes away from where I live and had both of my parents there with me! They came back every day for 5 days. I don't know how I would have survived without them. I am so glad the worst is over for you now. You are going to do fine. Congratulations.

Hi y'all, you may be interested to know why I will be continuing with my prescribed PPI and adding an additional OTC at bedtime at this point, indefinately! I blogged it if your interested... http://verticalsleevetalk.com/blogs/lan2k/553-finally-got-up-courage-see-otolaryngologist.html

Congratulations Driver63---a game of golf is probably a good thing to get outside and breath in some fresh air. Hope things continue to progress for you from here on out.

I loved Jay Robb until AFTER my sugery now I don't like it at all.

What a mom you are Tracy! Your daughter is blessed. I have read from so many people who have used Dr. Aceves and the sentiment is consistent. He is a truly conscientious surgeon with a caring heart. Let us know how you both do with the swallow test. Hugs to both you and your daughter. If my daughter were to have this surgery abroad I would definitely want Dr. Aceves to perform her procedure.

It really is so good to know that you are on the path to healthy living...Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us. It will help others know that a leak (horrible as it is) can be overcome.

I was informed that serotonin is also produced in the stomach. I don't know if this is valid as one doctor told me it is true and another said it was not the case. Post surgery I HAD to have medical mental health intervention because my mental state flipped and the depression I felt was enveloping me. The SSRI's made things worse, both Wellbutrin and Zoloft heightened my anxiety and increased my repulsion towards food. Even drinking became somewhat revolting. I had success with a SNRI (Remeron) taken before bed. Almost immediately I felt "normal" again. I desired food and eating was actually easier (although I had to be cautious not to over eat and hurt myself). My weight loss continued but at a slower pace. After around 2.5 months I stopped the Remeron and my desire for eating also decreased but not completely. My weight loss increased and I dropped around 10 lbs in 3 weeks. My eating has seemed to stabalize. I only take .5mgs of Klonopin when needed for anxiety and it seems I'm stabalizing emotionally as well.

So sorry you are having such discomfort. An upper endoscopy is important and I am very glad your doctor has arranged for that...tomorrow? Please let us know the results. I hope the problem clear up real soon.

I was thinking about anxiety too since I had extreme anxiety post op and shortness of breath and tightness in my chest were two of the symptoms I encountered. I would need to do the slow deep breathing and often times raise my arms above my head propped up on a wall to stretch while breathing. I'm 8 months out and I take .5mg of Klonopin (generic form) as needed. I still get anxiety attacks but not as severe. I usually take the Klonopin once or twice a day and it really helps. *I'm not suggesting that anxiety is your problem at all just wanted to point out the possibility.

I hope Norma is doing great and will check in, see and respond to this post. She was instrumental in helping me post surgery when I fell into an abyss of dark depression and anxiety. I began therapy with a psychologist who also worked at the facility where I had my WLS, with WLS patients pre and post op. I finally found a psychiatrist too and the right antidepressant medication for me. I also joined an OA, 12 step support group since the WLS support groups meet monthly only, (not enough meetings for my needs). In hindsight I wish that I would have taken seriously the consideration for therapy at least a couple of months prior to having surgery. I suggest that to anyone who has concerns about their mental health. Best wishes to you on your journey.

You went through a bit of an ordeal having other procedures done simultaneously. At home I propped up lots of pillows along with an extra comforter on my bed so that I could lie with a slight incline or even lean back in a semi sitting position. I knew that lying flat wouldn't do for the first few days. Walking does help with gas pain and swinging your arms up above your head and down even while in bed also helps. I think you are going to be fine and well adapted to your new way of life with the sleeve. Best wishes for a smooth recovery and success with your weight loss.

I sometimes don't get on the scale for about a week since it's discouraging to see that scale go up a pound or two when I'm eating so little! I do agree that excercise/ walking whatever is key. It looks like you've got some interesting places to go walking, so keep it up even if for only 15 minutes a day. I just know you are going to succeed...it is a learning process and you are learnig! Great for you Tiffany!

Dear Dr. Jossart, I am approximately 8 months post op (gastric sleeve). From the very first week after surgery Water became a substance that just does not go down easily. It feels sort of heavy going down and sits heavy inside my stomach. I have developed an aversion to drinking it and have been drinking Vitamin Water with relative ease, (even with that I can only tolerate one flavor-Citrus punch--deep yellow in color). I dislike any artificial sweetener so I use the original Vitamin water and dilute it with filtered higher alkaline water to reduce the carbohydrate count. Once the water is added I notice a slight heaviness and the Vitamin water is not as easy to drink as it is undiluted. I have come across numerous others who have had the sleeve procedure and are now unable to drink plain water. Is there any scientific explanation to this phenomena? If so will our altered anatomy's eventually stabilize where plain water will be once again a refreshing and rewarding drinking source? Here is a link of some others on this message board who have a similar aversion to water post surgery. http://verticalsleevetalk.com/general-sleeve-surgery-discussion/5351-problem-drinking-plain-water-post-surgery.html I thank you in advance for taking the time to read my post and hope you are familiar with this phenomen. Regards, Lis

Best wishes for your surgery to be uneventful and recovery a piece of cake, (figuratively speaking of course)! A prayer offered for you throughout. Your in good hands with Dr. Aceves.

Jay Robb is good quality stuff. I loved it pre surgery and drank 2 shakes a day with one light meal of veggies and shrimp or chicken, fish or beef. I did this 4 weeks pre surgery and lost 16 lbs. After surgery I couldn't stomach even the sight of Jay Robb or any other protein powder shake!

Are you actually standing in one leg of those pants?? Is is amazing that FINALLY something REALLY turned obesity upside down!!!

Or you can go to youtube and type in mychunkychannel and her videos come up.

For many months I would gag and dry heave every morning as soon as I started to brush my teeth and gargle...(still happens sometimes)--I've got this sinus thing going on too and it feels as though I've got a glump of mucus in my throat that I cannot expel no matter how I try! I'm going to an ENT on Monday. I just wonder if this problem has anything to do with acid reflux.

I think you can do it too because you already are doing a great job!!!

I think it's great that you are doing a VLOG. I don't know what kind of feedback you are referring to but I have found that even when critical most people here are really just trying to help, (don't know about youtube). I saw your videos and worried for you when I saw the open incisions. I guess I'm overly cautious because I just wouldn't have the courage to remove my own stitches. I still struggle with feelings of repulsion for many many foods...so I can't relate to you being able to eat some of the things you have been. It's hard for me to wrap my mind around "stalls". I have them too. It's so difficult to believe that my caloric intake is so little and I can remain at a same weight sometimes for 3 weeks, give or take a lb or two. I do get what you mean when you say that food is now on your mind more than before the surgery. Before surgery I wasn't too concerned since I took what I wanted to eat and when for granted. Now I often strain to think of what and when to eat, how much and the nutritional content of what I eat. It's gotten better over time and I've lost a bunch of weight but I am yet to feel elated. I'm somewhat glad dressing is easier, knees hurt less, etc...but I am not too happy that I have to put so much effort in food planning.

Oh dear God, I hope you fare better stepping up to "full liquids".

I'll just share my first few weeks post op...I awoke every morning between 5 and 6 am and was full of anxiety. Once my eyes opened I was unable to fall back asleep (and I wanted to). Early out I was taking percoset for pain and reglan every 6 hours as a motility drug, so those very first few days were a bit screwed up. I would get up in the middle of the night to crush, mix and swallow pill/s. I also think that my caloric intake was so pathetically low that my body was unable to deeply relax.

Hey there I thoroughly relate and I'm so glad that you are communicating your recovery with us. I may have missed a post or two so I'm wondering if you have informed your surgeon of the lingering low grade fever? If I recall correctly I was told that fever becomes a bigger concern at 101 and then again I'm not sure. I took mine nearly every day for the first couple of weeks post op and mine fluctuated between 97 and 100. It takes time for the body and mind to adjust. A few people seem to glide with ease right through. As for me, that was not the case. I'm glad you have something you can take conservatively that works to ease both pain and anxiety.