Keys Pirate

Aren't beans considered mushies?? What am I missing? :sad0:

Hey Tiff, Thanks for that and so glad you're feeling better. A question for the board; what's this about raw veggies? I mean, I get it, I understand why we should stay away from raw cellulose overall but... really? I wasn't a veggie maniac "before" but I hate to think I'll not be able to have salad and/or most raw vegetables from here on out. Any thoughts?? Thanks guys. Carol

You're right, I'm no doctor and I don't know that you're "killing" your stomach, bad choice of words on my part. But, crushed pills work totally without incident for most patients and a FEW can tolerate whole pills. There must be a reason that the majority of surgeons require crushed pills. If whole pills work for you, and they don't seem to, more power to you. :smile: Good luck on your journey. Carol

Hey Amy, Good to hear you're feeling at least a little better. It's a bummer to hear that these symptoms are "normal" for some. We sure weren't warned ahead of time! Anyway, just take it easy on yourself and your new tumm and you'll be feeling great before you know it. Once you find what works and what stays down, start concentrating on getting Protein in. I found that unjury unflavored really does go well in broth and tea. Crystal Light too. I have also found protein shots - the good ones from the Vitamin Shoppe - work well for me and they have 42g in them. The cheaper ones from CVS were horrific on the other hand. Oh, Unjury chicken protein broth is quite good too. Best to you! Carol Best to you.

Yep, you're killing your baby stomach with pills. They need to be ground up and probably taken one at a time with a few minutes at least in between each pill. Your stomach is protesting but get this confirmed with your surgeon's office. Good Luck!

Bambi, Similar story here, I made a powdered broth that netted four cups of liquid - I left the noodles there, of course, but I drank wayyyy too much of the broth - probably two cups within 40 minutes! I felt terrible afterwards in two ways; one, it ran right through me and I was in the john for much longer than I should have been... sorry... and two, I felt like a total ass for thinking I could consume so much at once. I'm not sure why I did - tasted good? Head hunger? Anyway, I have been dwelling on it since I did it - three days ago and since have started measuring four ounce portions and slowing the hell down! So far, so good. Let the Sleeve Education begin!! Good Luck, Carol

Hey there AmyJ, I was a couple of doors down from you when you came in - had my sleeve 1/25. You were pretty busy when we were getting ready to leave so you probably don't remember us. :thumbup: Your husband Joe had dinner with my hub and the rest of the companions as I recall, however. Anyway, I think you should get in touch with Aceves right away. I know everyone heals and progresses differently but it seems like you are wayyy too uncomfortable. The pressure and "weirdness" of feeling everything go down I think is normal, I sure as heck feel that but I'm definitely not suffering. SF Jello is one thing I look very much forward to, for whatever that's worth. I'm kinda with Mini-me, just a little bit of soreness remaining. I haven't taken any pain meds since I left Mexicali and, as of today, I can lay on my stomach - yay - because I sleep that way. How do you feel moving around? Walking and functioning? Is that also very painful? I don't think it should be and I hope not. I cornered myself into going back to school on the 30th (surg 1/25) and work on the 1st. It's been fine. Let me know how you are. Call Aceves and/or Gaby - you should have received a follow up e-mail from her by now. I did and wrote her back right away with questions. She responded immediately, even through the weekend. Good Luck!!!!!! Carol

This stuff counts as mushies??? I guess I need to re-read my post op diet. I'm still on my last days of clears but now I'm really looking forward to mushies if this is the case? I thought it was all about yogurt, watered down grits, watery mashed potatoes, etc. I sure didn't expect meat of any sort, pureed or not. Kewl! Tiff, how ya doin??

See, she's already giggling and she hasn't even had surgery yet. That's our girl!!! Take good care and let us know, ok?

I'll second Cajun's comments. I was the ultimate skeptic on epidural's but I went ahead - with no fear - with Dr. Aceves. It truly was no big deal. I remember coming too and it took about five minutes longer to wiggle my left toes again before I could wiggle my right toes. They did not leave the port in me after the surgery. I did react to morphine, however, so it didn't do me much good after I woke up. It made me dry heave a bit so they gave me something in my i.v. to counteract the morphine. If it made my surgery easier I'd do it again in a second. It was one of the easiest parts of the whole process.

Hi Suryfer! Jeez, I was starting to think I was the only one in the Southeast with the exception of my sleeve buddy Gary from Arkansas! Which doc are you going to?? Staying in the U.S. or going abroad? The best of luck to you!!! To answer your questions... you know, I tried to get myself all worked up and in the nervous state of mind, but it never happened; I think I was just finally ready. I remember being MUCH more scared when I had my cesarean, etc. Anyway, you'll be fine, just think of getting around this big corner. Now about a lot of pain post op... well, it wasn't easy that's for sure. It is major surgery, afterall. Days one and two stink. There's just no way or reason to sugar coat it. But, think of the big picture; two stupid, miserable days for literally, a new life! I was asked a couple of times during those two days if I regretted it. No. Not even during that rough stage. I knew it would pass and it sure has. I feel great only six days out! I did have some nausea due to my reaction to morphine but the docs took care of it immediately. It only happened a couple of times on day one and never again. Take care and feel free to PM me or post here if you have more questions! I would love to meet you!! Carol

It feels sooo good to click on the POST Op forum!!!! heeheeeee!!!! Anyway, where was I? Ok, a couple of things that I would share now that I am five days POST OP! (heeeheeeheee!) First, there truly is ZERO appetite!! This is so freaky and maybe it is just because my stomach is traumatized, swollen and all that, but not even my head is hungry. I'm sure it will change but, I have to say, what I am feeling now is nothing short of miraculous. AND, if this is 99% hormonal, it ReAlLy pis*** me off that no drug or shot has been developed to counteract the hunger we feel... Probably just five day-out babble, any of you old-timers care to comment on your appetite? Further, we have gone to restaurants a couple of times since surgery and yeah, all those pretty pictures of food on the menu's and seeing the real thing was nice, everything smelled GREAT but it didn't bother me!!!!! I didn't start to drool, my stomach didn't growl, I didn't feel like I was going to go nuts if I didn't order something NOW; it's unbelivable to say the least... I had my broth and tea and was perfectly happy with that. Second thing; I screwed up our return itinerary which left us in San Diego an extra day. IT WAS THE BEST MISTAKE I'VE EVER MADE!!!! I'm telling you, if you have to travel any kind of distance for this surgery, please, plan on an extra night before you have to fly cross-country. I am SO glad that we did that!! It gave us a night in a real bed, time to truly relax and get our/my bearings together. DO it!!! You'll be glad. Now, that being said, my first instinct was to lay around in bed all day and night but I transcended that and made myself explore for a bit with my husband. We took the trolley down town and then met friends for dinner near the hotel. It was just what the doctor ordered (ha) and the activity vaulted me over the hospital/surgery blahs and gave me energy to travel the next day. I felt like a different person. Again, if there is any way possible, give yourself an extra night before long travel. I flew from the Florida Keys to Aceves. Ernesto, the driver, was happy to drop us off at the hotel on the way to the airport with the rest of the folks, no problems. Some hotels then have free shuttles to the airport the next day. Added bonus, we were able to check in early - at about 10:30 a.m.. Yayyyyyyyy!!!! Carol p.s. gotta go weigh and then will update ticker...

Hey Gary!! My Sleeve Buddy!! Glad you finally made it home, sorry it was so bad, I know that must have been really tough. Oh, and for the rest of you, Gary, BTW, is a Freak. His pain threshold is off the stinking charts. I was operated on first that day and he was right after me. Shortly thereafter, while I am trying to barf up my guts from a morphine reaction, who's standing there in the doorway with his Hawaiian shirt on and a grin on his face...???!!!! Yup, he's a trooper. Good job, buddy!

If anyone is curious, I did go ahead with the epidural and it was a breeze. Until I found out I don't play well with Morphine! So, I guess it was a waste of time, maybe it made my surgical anesthesia a little but it kicked my butt after I woke up with lots of dry heaves. Ouch! They had to give me something to counteract the morphine and then picked some other pain killer. I had no particular "epiphany" that convinced me to do it, I just figured what the heck, millions have gone before me, right?

Aww Tiff, I'm so sorry to hear it. I guess it's not surprising as fast as you've lost the weight. It still sucks as much as you've already been through on this journey of yours. I am hoping for the very best for you. Keep everyone posted, ok? And ask those guys what we can do to prevent this from happening in the future, if anything. hugs, Carol

Sitting my fat butt in the hotel waiting for the transfer to the hospital. I have surprised myself in that I feel much more calm, collected and, as my husband said, ready, than I ever, EVER thought I would. The place IS run like a well oiled machine and Dr. Aceves is a comforting straight shooter. Wasn't going to take the happy pill last night but succumbed. Glad I did. And I felt warm and fuzzy about things before I took the pill, I might add. Keep me in your prayers guys and I'll write from the losers bench as soon as I can!! Carol oh yeah, the hotel and the italian restaurant - especially the restaurant is fabulous!!

Hi Folks, Just thought I would touch base. Had surgery on the 25th, it was tough. Everything went fine so far maybe I'm just a wimp, but this kicked my arse! Today is day three and, as so many of you say, what a difference a day makes. I'm actually getting restless and feeling pretty good all things considered. I had a lot of nausea right after the surgery, me and morphine don't play well together it seems. Once they got me off of that and gave me a shot of something to negate the effects of the epidural (did it, btw, not bad) I was much better off. Since then, I have been on sublingual pain meds. Taste like baby aspirin but feel a good bit stronger. The drain stinks. Well, not literally but it is probably the most painful part of this process. I wasn't expecting that. It comes out today. Yay. Haven't had any hunger, the new stomach is tender of course with complaints from even the littlest sip of anything. It's getting better though. They took me off of my IV yesterday so now it's totally up to me to get in enough fluids. I don't see how in the world that is going to happen. I've taken some broth, Water and a little Protein drink and it's been tough to get that in, it's painful but does seem to be improving. We leave tomorrow and I am very glad that I screwed up our travel dates and we will be in a hotel tomorrow. Just not looking forward to flying back to Florida from San Diego just yet and then having to drive to the Keys from Miami. Ugh. Oh well, the price I have to pay, right? I can highly recommend Drs. Aceves and Campos; the whole team is awesome. I haven't felt concerned or lacking in anything. Can't say enough good about them. Gary from Arkansas was here too for the sleeve, he's doing great. Also a young woman named Samantha for a RNY, she's pretty beat up too but doing well. We are hoping to get back together a year from now to see where we are on the journey. That's it for now, thanks for the support. Carol

Millie, thanks for the legwork... I'm still sitting the fence but, I am hoping that as Kris mentions, once I see how things work there, I'll be ok with it. But I doubt it. And Joe, thanks for the stats, good food for thought there. ARGH, so completely indecisive on this one... Also, if you have a port (?) in your back and stitches on the front, how the heck are you supposed to get comfortable...?? I'm in the hotel in Miami as we speak, flying at the buttcrack of dawn tomorrow to start tests in Mexicali tomorrow. Surgery Monday. I'm hoping I get in early so I have the most possible time to recover. :blushing: Thanks you guys, hopefully I'll touch base before I become a loser! Carol

I am scheduled for a Monday session with Aceves and looking forward to it. Here's an unexpected, er, bonus, that I am experiencing; started the pre-op on Monday the 18th - Aceves requires an Atkins-like pre-op - no carbs. Ok, fine. Done this before, piece of cake. Would much rather do lo carb than liquid for any time frame. Well, my smugness is getting smacked down for sure - today is day four of almost pure Protein and holy cow have I been feeling screwy! Slightly nauseous, ridiculous come-and-go headaches, cold sweats, ridiculous. Starting to worry a little, I looked up lo carb symptoms and Lo and Behold! I am 100% experiencing sugar withdrawals!!! Who woulda thunk? I'm holding strong, however, as I would rather get this business over before surgery rather than during or after. Strangely, I'm not really craving carbs though. Just thought I'd share. Anyone else been there done that? Carol

Hey All, Set for surgery on the 25th and had my last gluttony session tonight before I start my pre-op tomorrow. We went to Outback had the dark bread they give you, fried mushrooms with dipping sauces, two margaritas, Alice Springs/Ribs combo with french fries and a side of broccoli. Then, we had a huge piece of hummingbird cake for dessert. Good God. And, the worst part is, besides the dessert, that's about what we usually eat... :smile: On one had, I'll be so glad that I just plain CAN'T eat like that anymore but, dammit, I really enjoy everything about food; buying it, cooking it, serving it or having it served, eating tons of it and then looking forward to the left overs the next day. Will my entire mind set really change? I sure hope so but it's awfully hard to fathom at this stage in the game. I hope I'm not going to go nuts not being able to eat. Has this happened to any of you? How do you know you are ready to kick the eating habit besides the obvious benefit of losing weight and becoming healthy? That is one fear, the other is; I am scared to death about messing with my otherwise excellent health. That is an oxymoron, I know, as it's only a matter of time before the weight starts to kill me. I'm 42 and have been all over the scale all my life. I've lost hundreds of pounds over the years. And re-gained them all. I'm doing this in Mexico and have truly stuck my head in the sand about complications. I have decided that I am just not allowed to have complications. But what if I do? Where do I go? Who do I see for not so complicated complications...? My apologies for the rambling but it feels good to share. I know I'm going to be truly sh**ting myself here in a few days... You post-sleevers are so stong, how did you not turn and run the day-of? Carol

As happy as I am keeping my head in the sand regarding potential complications, I've promised my "inner circle" that I would post this this question... Those of you that have had VSG in Mexico; what was your plan B for potential complications? I live in Florida so hopping back to Mexicali isn't really an option if something goes wrong. My insurance stinks; 5k deductible and specifically excludes WLS - I have it for catastrophic coverage and thats about it (nevermind the $200/month is costs me. Anyway) I've always been very healthy and only go to Planned Parenthood once a year for female stuff and and I started getting mammograms a couple of years ago (I'm officially OLD!). I don't really have a PCP although there is a GP here that I could see, I'm sure if need be. We are friends with him though my son's Scout troop... Not really an established professional relationship though. Thoughts? How did you deal? What are your stories? Did you do the same as me and just decide there will be no complicatons?? Thanks folks, you are such a blessing. Carol

I knew I could count on razor sharp insight from this group, thanks all. I have a lot to think about before Monday it seems. I like how the epidural can simplify things but I sure would hate to walk - er, roll - out of there paralyzed. I'm being silly, I know, this epidural part really came as a surprise, however. Thanks again, all. Love you guys! Carol

Thanks Cajun, that information was priceless. I actually remembered that a friend works for a gastro here so I talked to her for a bit and, she recommended I go see him. Not going to happen before Monday, however. She also told me - good thing I was sitting down - that the EGD is about $4000 minus the self pay discount!!! Sheesh! Maybe a trip to Mexicali won't be so bad afterall... ! All that aside, I still refuse to have complications! Thanks again for your words. I hope to hear from more folks but I think it might be a good sign that there are just not that many complications!! Woo hoo!

Dr. Aceves uses a 36

Thanks Guys. I'll pass on these guys names to my friend. I remember just a day or two ago a woman named Krystal here on the board had been given a name of a doc that charged around $10k... Anyone recall that and who he was? Thaank again... only 5 days to go for me... eeek!!!