pnw218

Very good news!! I hope you are both able to get some well deserved rest today!

I was so thirsty sometimes, it was almost unbearable! Popsicles were awesome!! I also had the feeling that liquids were getting stuck halfway down. It went away fairly quickly. It is so nice now to be able to take real drinks! I did alot of Jello, sf pudding, premade shakes in the beginning also. It was probably a week or two before I did a real banana but that was mainly because we eat them on the green side rather than overly ripe. Not sure if you meant actual bananas or banana flavored popsicles, so responded to both : ) I also liked cottage cheese and mashed potatoes. You are doing much better than I did with liquids. I had a hard time getting 64 oz down the first couple of weeks. Congrats on your surgery! Hope the rest of your recovery goes smoothly!

I haven't vomited - have been too full before tho and that was bad enough. Eat slower, eat less - that's all I can offer. Like Immore said, measure it out. It is hard for me to leave the last couple of bites sometimes, but I am getting used to it. I also drink a little when I eat sometimes, so really need to take it slow. Did you have any digestive issues before surgery? I hope it gets better!

What an amazing husband you are! She is very lucky to have you! Do you have the results from the ct scan yet? It seems very unfair that someone would become ill trying to improve their life and their health. I am sure the doctors will work hard for her. A couple of songs came to mind. I don't know your faith but hopefully these are general enough to bring some comfort .... Michael W Smith, Awesome God http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=3b1iwLIMmRQ&feature=fvw Michael W Smith, Breathe http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=Oad8ov10AjY&feature=related Hope to hear good news from you later tonite or in the morning!

Based on my experience with this surgery, 8 others and childbirth, I would say yes that you can do the stairs and be home alone. However, have you had any other surgeries? Any idea how you might react to the actual surgery or recovery? I was walking up and down stairs right after surgery. I didn't have any post-op pain after the initial chest pain subsided. Was able to get my own meals. Walked thru the airport to fly home. Was back on a mostly normal schedule the first week. To me it wasn't a major surgery to recover from; I have had worse. Everyone is different tho. If you have experienced something similar before, then base your possible recovery on that. If not, then maybe be cautious and have someone there the first day or two home. Are you having this as day surgery or staying over night? I think with my other day surgeries, I was supposed to have an adult with me for the first 24 hours just in case of a reaction of some sort. I have been fortunate tho not to have had any issues with any surgeries ..... if you don't count checking on a crying baby during the night after foot surgery, and being too lazy to put the boot on ... and then stepping on a toy the baby threw out of the crib! LOL Made it really really sore but didn't do any damage : )

yep, I totally agree with you. When someone posts that they are having a hard time or not feeling good, I have shared my experience. All drs are different just as all recoveries are different. I had no issues and others spent days in ICU's and didn't even have complications. Kinda like childbirth. Some do it without meds, some get knocked out : ) Hopefully those of us with different experiences and opinions will be allowed to share them without fear :thumbup:

Sorry maravilla, I was only relating my experience to you and then responding to those who said I was wrong, even tho they have also shared the same guidelines. I apologized to you earlier via pm but thought I would do it publicly as well. In the meantime, maybe everyone should re-read this as several posted mean things after Susan posted this reminder. Thanks Susan for reminding all of us of the rules. Hi Maravilla, I apologize that your thread has been hijacked by what appears to be a disagreement between members that needs to be taken to pm as opposed to deterring from the help that you requested. Maravilla, at eleven days out, I would strongly recommend that you not venture away from the diet that was prescribed to you by your doctor. You have had a potentially life changing surgery, please do not put yourself at risk by not following your doctors orders. When I was post-op, if I had to attend a function, I knew it was unlikely that they would have foods that matched my doctors post-op instructions. Therefore, I always made sure to bring whatever I would need with me. What you did should not affect your weight loss, however, not following your doctors orders and eating foods you shouldn't could hurt the healing process. My preferred advice always is to check with your doctor. You paid them a lot of money to take care of you and you entrusted your health to them. If you find your post-op diet is not working for you, you are starving, or whatever then call him/her. That is what they are there for. They can offer you suggestions that will help you get through the post-op period. As for the members having disagreements with each other, how about we keep the personal attacks off of the message boards, and not overrun someones thread who is genuinely asking for needed advice. You may attack the idea, but not the person. Take the arguing to pm, or block the person if you simply cannot tolerate their postings.

I am sorry to hear she is having such a difficult time! It is quite odd how and when complications happen; doesn't seem to always be a definite reason. I hope the news is good tonite. Your stress must be very exhausting. Wishing you both the best and finally, a recovery!

oh, you probably will. LOL don't we always??? : ) just keep writing the questions down and take them with you next time! a year from now, the weight will be an old memory and you will be very happy! good luck!

It truly depends on lots of things - no clear cut answer for any of your questions : ) In the US, there are drs who do this surgery as outpatient, I have heard others talk about being in an ICU unit for days afterwards. It would be my guess that the drs in Mexico keep most patients at least one night in the hospital/clinic and then at a recovery house or hotel for a couple of nights, to make sure patients are good before they travel home. My recovery was very easy. The first day or two is yucky, typical post op. I flew home on day 3 and never took another pain med. I went back to work on day 4 and worked all week. I do have a mainly desk job and am self employed. There were some days that I left after 4-6 hours and went home for a nap. We did have an employee file an L&I claim that week tho so I was swamped and needed to be there. I think alot of it is your attitude going in. Think positive, get up and move after surgery, take a shower and put on real clothes. That has been my experience from past surgeries. Good luck with your research! It is an amazing tool and I do not regret it at all! by the way ~ I have been to Calgary and it is beautiful!

congrats on your progress so far! It is hard to travel and attend functions. So many seminars, conferences, etc offer wonderful breakfasts - a variety of pastries, coffee, tea and water! lol If you are lucky, they will have yogurt and fresh fruit! : ) sounds like you are adjusting to live on the road with your new tummy! continued good luck!

Gastric bypass really scares me and wasn't necessary for the amount of weight I wanted/needed to lose. I have a former SIL who had bypass surgery years ago and seems to be ok. I don't talk to her very much but saw her two weeks ago and she looks healthy, altho everyone is different. The major remodeling inside during the surgery seems drastic tho. There are people around here who have lost lots of weight with the sleeve and few seem to have complications during/after surgery or post-op. For me, it has been a very good experience. Wanting food is still a challenge but other than that, all is good : ) I had never even heard of VSG until last December/January. There are a few hospitals/clinics where I live that do the surgery, however my insurance would have been a pain in the butt. I met a gal thru work who had the surgery a year ago in Mexico, and being able to talk to her face to face was very encouraging. She used a different clinic than I did. She went from 280 lbs to 145 in one year. From a size 22 to a 6/8. Amazing! She is very loyal to her eliptical : ) I have had several surgeries and was comfortable how I would feel after surgery, so traveling out of the country was fine. My husband stayed home with our daughter; would like to have had him there, but it was actually easier for me not having to worry about the dd getting to her sports, etc on time - and I didn't have to worry about the dh being bored while I was sleeping after surgery! lol I personally think the sleeve is the better choice of the three (bypass, sleeve, band). It is a very personal decision tho - read as much as you can, try to find people locally who have had the surgey and used the drs/clinics, and then decide what is best for you. Be cautious of those you tell ahead of time - family and friends. They could have a wide range of uneducated opinions and cause you alot of stress. good luck!

Does Kaiser have a members website? I have a different insurance but they do have a website with a forum section. People can post about a variety of subjects. Maybe you can find one on weight loss and read what other Kaiser patients have experienced? Also check to see what your portion of the costs will be. Mine would have been considerably more than the cost of having it elsewhere. It would have been nice to stay home for it, but if having surgery out of the US is your only choice or a better choice, there are plenty of places to choose from. Good luck! I hope you are able to find info for your Kaiser plan. Keep in mind, they can also vary from employer to employer.

As soon as I over the initial surgery, I was ready for something more substantial. I had yogurt on the flight home - 3 days post op. I didn't go crazy but did move to thicker foods the first week. For me, I needed more than Clear Liquids to feel better. I did the premade shakes (Atkins, Nutrilite, Premier), cottage cheese, potato soup, mashed potatoes. I tried a couple of protein powders and thot they were horrid. I tried mixing them into my hot farina Cereal in the morning. Not great, even with baby fruit added in for taste. A nurse who had surgery at the same time, wrote to me that the drs she worked with said anything mushy and tolerated was ok. I did stay away from crunchy, seeds, etc. Have you seen this link yet? http://www.cornellweightlosssurgery.org/pdf/dietary_guidelines_sleeve_gastrectomy.pdf It is a difficult adjustment; the entire experience has been harder for me mentally than physically. I crave Wendy's tho, not McD's! lol It will get easier

Iwat80 ~ congrats on your surgery! You made me laugh - we are all so similiar. Its like, uh, we are the way we are because we can't control our food and now you are telling us to control our food?? And in a few short days we can't have any of our favs?? ya right! LOL Good for you tho for coming clean to your doctor. That way he could make a schedule adjustment if needed. There are definitely times, due to medical issues, that the pre-op diet seems to be more important. I think most of the time tho, drs know that we aren't going to be perfect, so they might tell us 7 days hoping to get 4 or 5 : ) good luck to both of you!

I felt back to normal very quickly, probably in less than two weeks?? I had to remind myself that I had surgery. You are eating more at a time than I was but it also sounds like your stomach is letting you know as well. I still feel uneasy if I eat too quickly or too much. I am able to sip during meals; I certainly don't drink alot but there are times a little liquid is needed : ) You are doing great by exercising! I have been on restricted activity since before my surgery. I could be walking but haven't done alot. I have had PT 2x a week for 6 weeks and feel good tho. Thinking the back dr might release me on my next visit. Supposedly the stomach portion that is left isn't very stretchy so you shouldn't be able to stretch it too much. There are others who are able to eat/drink similar to you. Talk to your doctor and see what he/she says. Use caution and common sense, you should do great!

The staff you meet with upon arrival speak fluent english. The nurses, however, don't. When you arrive they give a sheet of paper with common phrases in spanish that a nurse would ask you and it tells you how you can answer so that is helpful. If you can't say it you can point to it and they can read it. I printed sheets with common and medical English/Spanish phrases before I went down thinking it might be a good idea, but never had to use them. Nice to have on hand tho! Did you ever find out if the spinal had anything to do with the back pain?? My "too full" pain has always been in the front, so was just curious. Hope your recovery is going well!

you got it girl! I could always bring you out to the PNW for a few days and then send you south for surgery! I do have an extra room! : )

hey sweetie! all is good! I am eating lunch, watching tv, doing a few searches online .... tell your friend to respond nicer and she won't hear from me. I have always looked out for others and have no intention of stopping now. You may think you outnumber me, but I get plenty of pm's that show otherwise.

LOL You always only see it your way. As I have asked you before, just make your posts positive without saying or insinuating that someone else is wrong. It really isn't hard to do. Even I have done it! There are as many different guidelines, etc etc as there are paint colors. Re-read what you wrote: I'll just ditto to what they had to say. It's just not worth it. Whatever your surgeon guidelines are, please stick to them. They have way more experience with these surgeries than any one member on this forum. (does that include you???) Just because some other guideline is out there doesn't mean it's okay to follow it. (directed at me even tho you have posted it as well) We trusted the surgeons to remove 75-85% of our stomachs, trust them with their post-op diet recommendation. (and what about the dr who says anything you can tolerate is ok, shall we trust them??? would be totally contradictory to your advice and admonishments to those who do move past some stages faster) In his book, "Don't Sweat The Small Stuff... author Richard Carlson says, "Needing to be right - or needing someone else to be wrong - encourages others to become defensive and puts pressure on us (you) to keep defending." Try it, you just might like it. I have always said what worked for me and that it was my opinion. I have never said that someone was bad, wrong or crazy for doing something different. I have offered others who asked different options so they could see what works best for them. liquids didn't work for me. Was I wrong to move to something that did? I don't think so but you sure lectured me at the time. I had to find foods/beverages that would help me to recover and feel better. Thank God there were open minded people out there who offered me help and choices, and didn't just insult me and tell me to buck up. I am done here. Will watch for your next rude email and jump in there. People need encouragement, not discipline. Think about it.

Good Luck Jerry with your surgery and recovery! Failure is also a word I don't take lightly. I was so frustrated when I was gowned up and prep'd for surgery that I could not stop crying. How could I fail at something so easy as losing 50+ pounds???? I have had few other failures in my life, why couldn't I do this on my own?? Fortunately, the gal I was sharing a room with at the time was amazing - almost like the mother I never had, and she held my hand and talked me down. Then the nurse walked by and the valium in my iv helped too! LOL Congrats to you for taking the plunge! I am sure you will be glad that you did! Thank you for your service as well. My grandfather was a Major in the Army, my father retired Air Force and my 22 yr old son will graduate from flight school next month and serve as a Black Hawk pilot.