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1. So yes, we all get the point of the surgery is to lose weight and lead a healthy lifestyle BUT that doesn't mean we can't enjoy ourselves sometimes. My favorite food chain is in LA, In-N-Out Burger. Will I be able to eat a cheeseburger and small fry with like a milkshake? Clearly I won't be opting for this on the daily but we all still need to indulge in our favorites once in a while and I'm not sure how much of it I'll be able to eat I'm assuming maybe like 1/3 or maybe 1/2 of the entire meal. But does anyone have experience with eating cheeseburgers, fries and a milkshake on like a vacation or for just a little "cheat meal"? (Again, I get the point is to NOT eat these types of food but sometimes you have urges especially on vacations). Maybe I over read what surgery you are having, but its a little different for a sleever or someone who's had RNY. I cannot eat regular ice cream. It has way too much sugar and I would dump. Occasionally I will eat sugar free ice cream from the grocery store. But you are hard pressed to find sugar free options at restaurants. Also, I would NEVER be able to eat a burger (never with a bun), fries, and a milk shake. I wouldn't have enough room. Let me give you an example, I was at Chili's this past weekend and I ordered shrimp tacos and fries as my side. I had 3-4 fries and one single taco (I was stuffed!). I did partake in a couple chips with salsa prior to the meal, and I can do that as long as its long enough before our meal comes out. Eating out is not fun for me anymore, and its almost frustrating because I waste so much food. By the time I start to enjoy something, I'm already full. Don't get me started on the cost factor. 2. I absolutely LOVE sparkling Water like La Croix and San Pellegrino, does anyone drink sparkling water on occasion? I drink carbonated beverages on occasion. This is not against my program. However, this is a mixed review in the WLS community. I would consult your surgeon to see if they allow carbonation after surgery. I also weighted until 3 months post op to make sure my staple line was completely healed. The important part is that you are drinking CALORIE FREE liquids. 3. Cocktails and Wine, I'm not sure about you but being 24 I like to have myself an occasional couple of social beverages, how was your experience with alcohol both mixed drinks (hard liquor) and wine? (Don't worry about beer I don't like it). I have drank hard alchohol on two occasions since surgery and I did just fine. I did half of a shot of vodka to one small can of sugar free Red Bull. I was cleared for alcohol 3 mons post op. 4. Not to generalize but I think a lot of people have a sweet tooth, I love the occasional scone, croissant, cookie, French macaron, etc. how has your experience with these types of baked pastries been? I don't eat baked goods at all. There is too much added sugar, and white processed flour. The only thing I indulge in is the SF ice cream on special occasions or really hot days. I stay away from most processed foods and things with added sugar. There are plenty of recipes you can make on your own at home that can satisfy your sweet tooth. This one below is for a protein brownie. But you will be hard pressed to find things at the store (already made) that are bariatric friendly. The common trend is make it yourself. Cooking, meal prepping, healthy shopping...ect. https://www.bariatriccookery.com/simply-gorgeous-protein-brownies 7. This is hopefully not going to be a struggle but when I eat I like to sip on water or unsweetened iced tea, coffee, etc. I know in the beginning you're supposed to drink like 30 minutes BEFORE consuming food. How soon after can you drink something? Also will there be a time when eventually I can have a beverage while eating a snack or meal? Or will I forever not be able to consume liquids and solids at the same time? The answer is you will forever have to withhold from drinking for the 30 mins before/after rule. The only time this does not apply is when you are in liquid stages of post op. This important for 2 reasons. The first being is that liquids will allow food to pass through your pouch quicker, making you able to eat more. The second, is it could cause your pouch to stretch. My program specifies the 30 minute after rule, but not before. Check with your surgeon to see what your program suggests. So I gave you very honest answers to most of your questions.... but let me say this, it doesn't sound like you are in the right mind frame to have this surgery. These are questions I wouldn't be concerned with if I was ready to change my life. There is a difference between concerned about post op recovery, types of vitamins, or protein sources. You are concerned about not having to change your lifestyle. These questions don't sound like they are from someone who has hit their rock bottom and wants to have life changing surgery to lose weight. Just saying.... Remember this, this surgery is 80% mind, and 20% body. You will have to overcome the mental aspects. Are you ready? Can you do it?

Many programs say no carbonation, but there are some surgeons who dissent http://drmatthewweiner.com/bariatric-surgery-myths/ http://www.obesityhelp.com/articles/drinking-soda-after-wls-debunking-the-myth

I hope that you do find people. All of my family knows, because they have big mouths....not intentional. But I don't allow them to inject negative feelings or opinions. I'm kind of a blunt person and I don't really put up with it. I took the people close to me to different events regarding the process. I had the initial info meeting, which my sister and best friend tagged along, then the consultation, my husband went with. My aunt went with me for pre op testing. My best friend went with me to the Nutritionist and Bariatric class. My sister went with me to the Pulmonologist appointment. All my appointments were 3+ hours away, so it helped to have a buddy for driving purposes. My husband obviously has been there for all my follow ups and surgery. Honestly, they each got a deep understanding of the process and knew the dedication hands on after each appointment. I feel they really get it now, and I don't have to constantly explain why I can't eat something or what exactly the surgery entailed. Some people, no matter how much you explain, can't wrap their brains on this being a permanent life change. But mostly, I just tell people I'm eating healthier and working out. This year for my birthday at work... my card was even fitness/health related. A lot of co workers put comments about my dedication to health and fitness. So things change and people start to think of you differently. I think its better that people don't have the chance to "label" you or the likely stigma that comes with closed minded people and WLS.

Chiming in a little bit late, so you've already got a lot of replies, but here's how it went for me: The first time I saw my current primary care provider -- an awesome nurse practitioner who made it clear from day one that she was on my side and just wanted the best for me -- she never said, "you need to lose weight." What she said instead was, "have you ever considered bariatric surgery? I would be so happy to make a referral if you'd like to go check it out and learn more." And while I was very reluctant about the prospect of surgery, I took her recommendation seriously. The thing that I think made a difference was that she just didn't drop the command to lose weight into my lap, she started by offering me a potential solution. It probably made a difference that I was ready to be receptive to that kind of suggestion, and that at my weight then (464 lbs that day) there was really no question about the need to lose weight. But she didn't say it in a way that might come across as accusatory, or in a way that just stated the fact and then left me to work it out for myself. She was offering me a practical, simple step that I could take to start moving forward. That was a year ago to the week, and in the intervening time I've dropped ~75 lbs on my own, and am mostly through the six-month program at my bariatric clinic. I haven't had surgery yet, but I anticipate that I will sometime in late August, or maybe early September. This probably wouldn't work on every patient -- those with less extra weight might be a little shocked at the suggestion that they look into bariatric surgery. But even a referral to a nutritionist might be a simple, positive thing you could offer patients to help them start making a little progress.

And also take her to a Bariatric support group, let her hear success strories from others, can't guarantee someone my age will be there but there will be people from 20 into their50s, a lot of people still do it and succeed at that age. I just was on a thread with a 44,46,53 and 55 year old starting out,and wanting to know what it was really like. The 53 year,old Is It Too Late for Me? and I could say No Mam I'm doing it and I will win this battle. It is among the safest of major surgeries and will make such a positive change for you and for her also. Yes I am a cheerleader but I am cheering for the RIGHT team!😛

How should a doctor tell you to lose weight? Or should they just not say anything? Who can you help by ignoring it? I think they should say something, but it should be said in a way that is advocating for the patient. There were so many times that I went to the doctor and they said that I needed to, but offered no resources to me on how to move forward. There were many times that my doctor didn't say anything at all. Would it be better if nutrition classes or a healthy lifestyle program was offered at the same time? I never even thought about going to a nutritionist prior to this journey. I think had the benefits been explained to me and I knew how helpful it was, I would have went a long time ago. Even when I got diagnosed with diabetes, I took a mini course in nutrition, but it wasn't nearly as thorough as the one for WLS. Should the conversation only happen with another big person? Would you feel less judged that way? I don't think that its necessary to have another large person present. In fact, if my doctor brought an overweight nurse in to discuss my weight problem, I'd probably be offended. Side note, I once had a doctor who was overweight, and I honestly didn't take his advice very seriously because he clearly wasn't taking his own advice. Shallow of me, yes, but that's how I felt at the time. Or does it seem silly for a fat person to tell another fat person to lose weight? Empathy or irony? I think two fat people can relate to one another, and you know if someone who is overweight brings yours up it comes from a genuine place. However, I could see how it could be hypocritical. Prior to my WLS surgery, my girlfriend who is overweight, and I used to talk about our weight all the time. We offered empathy and advice. But now that I'm headed down this path of success, I don't talk to her as much. I don't want to come across as judgmental. Would it be better or worse if bariatric surgery was mentioned? Would it help if I flashed my scars? I wish any doctor would have talked to me about this years and years ago. I think I always knew that people had WLS but didn't know enough about it. I always thought over the years, I'm not that big yet, or I wouldn't qualify. I couldn't afford it.... blah blah blah. Little did I know, my surgery was paid 100% besides my in hospital copay of $450. And I more than qualified. I would have never done this if it hadn't been from someone I know doing it.

According to the internet: Nausea and vomiting are the most common complaints after bariatric surgery, and they are typically associated with inappropriate diet and noncompliance with a gastroplasty diet (ie, eat undisturbed, chew meticulously, never drink with meals, and wait 2 hours before drinking after solid food is consumed). If these symptoms are associated with epigastric pain, significant dehydration, or not explained by dietary indiscretions, an alternative diagnosis must be explored. One of the most common complications causing nausea and vomiting in gastric bypass patients is anastomotic ulcers, with and without stomal stenosis. Ulceration or stenosis at the gastrojejunostomy of the gastric bypass has a reported incidence of 3% to 20%. Although no unifying explanation for the etiology of anastomotic ulcers exists, most experts agree that the pathogenesis is likely multifactorial. These ulcers are thought to be due to a combination of preserved acid secretion in the pouch, tension from the Roux limb, ischemia from the operation, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use, and perhaps Helicobacter pylori infection. Evidence suggests that little acid is secreted in the gastric bypass pouch; however, staple line dehiscence may lead to excessive acid bathing of the anastomosis. Treatment for both marginal ulcers and stomal ulcers should include avoidance of NSAIDs, antisecretory therapy with proton-pump inhibitors, and/or sucralfate. In addition, H pylori infection should be identified and treated, if present. Since you are taking Prilosec, you are taking a proton-pump inhibitor. That leaves a couple more items to check. Around 50% of the world's population have H pylori infection, so it is fairly a common bug and a hard one to kill.

Two weeks ago I was in the same boat. Was I taking too drastic a step? Would I be shitting my head off? I even started a thread here for some positive poop outcome stories. I'm only two weeks post op, so time is a factor here - but my BM's are behaving and gas is controllable and no worse than before. As I introduce solids more that will change but at this early stage there has not been the nastiness described elsewhere. I spoke In depth with my dietician and surgeon about it, I called it an irrational fear but they were really responsive and gave me reassurances. Firstly, the ADA in Oz are really into fibre supplements from day one (which is different to other countries for bariatrics) and fibre is essential to keeping regular and firm BM's, provided you stay hydrated. It's also food for gut bacteria, and they think gut biome is a key aspect of the tiny percentage of people that have totally intractable bowel issues after surgery. Secondly, they said gas is controllable. With some careful planning and food watching you can identify the foods or behaviours (gulping) that cause the gas or terrible odour if it becomes a problem. Similarly with loose stools - lactose is the common enemy for some. Ultimately, even if I do go downhill in the next week as I take more solids in I am confident this will be worth it. I also work in an office, in close quarters with lots of people. I'll just have to get creative about it. But so far, so good. Out of interest, is the Bris in your name for Brisbane? I'm just west 40 minutes if so. Small world. Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using BariatricPal mobile app

You're brave. I could feel the pain in your words, but I could also feel a renewed sense of hope for better things to come. LIFE has kicked you around long enough. Now it's your turn to kick LIFE in the nuts!! Continue to vent. It helps you to get rid of a lot of the toxic "shame" that has been holding you back.

The issues regarding alcohol and WLS are the following: Healing - alcohol is corrosive to the raw stomach tissues that have been exposed during surgery, so we need to keep away from it while the stomach heals. Surgeons differ in their opinion as to how long that should be, from a few weeks to a few months. Liver health - starting out obese or worse, our livers are often in pretty poor shape (hence the "liver shrinking" pre-op diets that some surgeons impose). Further, our livers are further stressed by their role in metabolizing all that fat that we are losing, and doesn't need any further stress from ingesting a liver toxin like alcohol (that's not a moral judgement, just basic physiology.) Surgeons vary widely as to how much this bothers them depending upon their backgrounds and WLS philosophies (short term vs. long term.) In my doc's program, we are under contract to not drink as long as we are in a weight loss phase (call it a year, though ideally forever) - with his "sideline" as a liver transplant surgeon, he doesn't want any of his bariatric patients coming back onto his transplant table. Transfer addiction - to the extent that we are/have been addicted to food (a very individual thing) that we can no longer satisfy, courtesy of our WLS, we can be prone to transferring those addictive tendencies to something else - alcohol, drugs, gambling, shopping, etc. So, a casual drinking habit pre-op can (and often does) morph into full blown alcoholism.

I have had the same primary care doc for about 14 years and he has never said anything about my weight, even when it rose pretty rapidly over the last several years. He was always willing to order labs when I requested them but never offered anything at all in regards to weight loss. When I asked him for a referral to the bariatric clinic he seemed a little surprised but just said that I met all the criteria and he would make the referral. I assume this is because I am a nurse practitioner myself and obviously aware that I was becoming increasingly obese. As my asthma and back pain got worse even though I was seeing specialists it was never suggested to me that I lose weight. I KNEW that the weight was a big part of the problem but I guess I was in denial. But no doctor ever told me. Now I will say that discussing a child's overweight issues with them and their parents is very difficult but I do it when necessary. I try to be really gentle but parents for the most part get very defensive but the truth is until a child is earning their own money and providing their own food the parent IS responsible for what foods are available to them. Kids can be very manipulative and just because they want 2 liters of soda and a huge bag of chips every day does not mean the parent needs to provide them. All nurses are educated about nutrition and certainly qualified to discuss concerns about a patients' weight in the context of their other health problems and to provide them with information and referrals about weight loss options in their community. Nurses educate parents about nutrition in prenatal and WIC classes.

So I was going to get surgery in mexico last year but had to bail on the idea because of some things that happened within my family. I contacted the Bariatric Hospital MX and had approval for the surgery but I'm not sure if im jumping the gun in the process. Can anyone share with me there experience and how they handled it start to finish as far as what if anything they involved there PCP doc in the process, Work leave, Short term disability. I am an Automotive Shop Foreman for a living and I have this irrational fear of being away from my job for a month +. Trying to figure out how to handle all of this is what is stopping me from moving forward at this point and I need all the help I can get. Thanks.

Lots of family members are leery of the surgery because it does, after all, have a mortality rate. They see "elective surgery" and think that it's vanity surgery. They may be the type who can lose 10 lbs and keep it off easily, or they may have watched The Biggest Loser without reading any of the follow-up studies. What I found most useful was telling family that even though this surgery was technically "elective", I was getting it to avoid a ton of NON-elective surgeries down the line when I'm older and less healthy. Knees and hips, in particular, but other weight-related problems too. I showed them the studies about people whose metabolisms never reset after significant weight loss and who gain it all back. I show them the success rates over time for "diet and exercise" losers versus bariatric patients. At a certain point, it becomes obvious that for someone with significant weight issues, this is a sensible surgery. But most of the time I think the resistance is being scared they'll lose you if there's a problem during surgery, and that feeds directly into a conviction that elective surgeries shouldn't happen. They can't lose you to diet and exercise, so they push hard for that. In some ways it can be seen as an expression of love and concern.... but only for so long. If you've provided them with documentation that should allay their fears and they STILL balk, well, go it alone.

And they do sell it at WalMart, at least my,local,one does The Pure Protein waters, maybe Sams Club or Costco. Also check Meijer, Target, Kroger, Winn Dixie whatever else,you might,have around, failing that Bariatric Pal store and last resort Megopolis Amazon. I'd much,rather enrich Alex Brecher's wallet --who,looks out for us here than Amazon,who just lives for profit. But that may just be my viewpoint,on the subject. It is still a country with free choice.

@James Marusek Thank you, James. I'm aware of the altered taste buds. I did quite a bit of research on the subject after I noticed the difference post-op. See below. I've always found Crystal Light and other on-the-go flavorings unpalatable. Everything has a cloying aftertaste. And the flavors available for most products today are pretty much the same. Blue raspberry has to be the worst flavor ever created. Recently, I found a bottle of peach-flavored water at CVS, but after I got it home I realized that it was sparkling CARBONATED water. Peach and coconut are the only two flavors that are halfway tolerable for me. Anyway, I left the lid off the sparkling water and allowed it to go flat. Then I drank it much later. I won't buy any more of it, however, because I noticed it had other additives that didn't sound body-friendly -- so that's the end of my peach water. I will keep trying to meet my fluid requirement because I know that liquid is crucial to my health and healing. Thank you for your comment. Researchers at the University Hospitals of Leicester looked at the relationship between taste, smell, and appetite among 103 patients who’d undergone gastric bypass surgery between 2000 and 2011. Nearly half of the patients polled reported their sense of smell changed following weight loss surgery and 73 percent noticed changes in the way foodtasted. Topping the list for patients experiencing taste changes is increased sensitivity to sweet foods and sour foods. Reduced tolerance and cravings for sweets and fast foods are common changes are reported by many patients. Some patients may become so sensitized that even Protein Shakes and powders taste overly sweet and are difficult to tolerate. (Some tips that may help include thoroughly chilling the Protein shakes to improve taste.) Food aversions usually develop immediately following surgery and may lessen or disappear over time. In studies, animal Proteins top this list with patients steering clear of chicken, steak, ground beef, lamb and cured meats like bacon, sausage, and ham. eggs, dairy products including ice cream, cheese and milk and starches such as rice, Pasta or breadalso ranked high on the list of disliked foods. Interestingly, very few patients reported aversions to fruits or vegetables. Some patients even report loving veggies like broccoli or cauliflower even more. Patients may feel turned off to foods for a variety of reasons including smell, appearance, texture or consistency. Sometimes a change in preparation method can help improve tolerance. Simple adjustments like stewing meat instead of baking or grilling and poaching eggs instead of frying may prevent the often-reported feeling of food “sticking” on the way down. While the exact cause is unknown, many experts believe sensory changes occur as a result of fluctuating hormones in the gut and their effects on the central nervous system. This gut-brain axis as it’s known and its relationship to bariatric surgery is a subject of much research and speculation. In a nutshell, the nervous system relays countless transmissions about your hunger, satiety and cravings each day between your GI tract and your brain. Because the carriers of these messages are affected by changes in weight and the removal of a portion of the stomach, it is highly likely they have an impact on taste, smell, gratification and other sensory perceptions. Leptin and ghrelin are hormones that are known to have a prominent role in the relationship between hunger and satiety. Ghrelin also plays a role in determining how much of what we eat is burned for fuel versus stored as fat. Weight loss alone results in an increase in ghrelin, which explains why we tend to feel hungry as soon as we restrict calories and begin to shed pounds. Surgically induced weight loss, however, in which a portion of the stomach is removed or bypassed, reduces the production of ghrelin while restricting the volume of food consumed. This unique combination explains, at least in part, why bariatric patients are able to eat less but not feel hungrier as a result. Leptin also plays an important role in telling your body when you are full and how calories are stored. It is believed that weight loss improves the body’s sensitivity to the messages leptin delivers to the gut and brain. This in turn may result in greater food satisfaction with smaller quantities and less flavor intensity.

It hard buddy my girl friend an I broke up over mine. I was loosing more that she was loosing with here lap band Hang in there and maybe y’all can get some kind of counseling maybe try taking her to a bariatrics meeting

The best advice on such things is to check with your surgeon's team and see what they say, and work under their guidance. The bariatric NSAID thing has its roots with the RNY, which is predisposed toward marginal ulcers, and has little tolerance for any kind or stomach irritants; bleeding ulcers are not uncommon with NSAID use for RNY patients. While a sleeve patient may be somewhat more sensitive to NSAID use than those in the general population, they have a much greater tolerance for them than an RNY patient. As most bariatric surgeons have been raised on the RNY and no doubt have had some "exciting" experiences with their RNY patients and NSAIDs. Overall, they tend to have less experience with the sleeve based procedures, so they remain gunshy about their use for all even when they know of the anatomical differences between procedures - they want to see it with their own eyes, but usually won't because they continue to advise all their patients to avoid them. Surgeons. Surgeons who were early adopters of the VSG - primarily those from the DS camp - tend to be more liberal in their allowance for NSAID use as that is what their experience promotes. Tylenol is generally the first line of treatment as it is considered to be the most benign, though often less effective. Caution should also be applied in its use as the toxicity levels for it are not much higher than the therapeutic levels, so acetaminophen poisoning is not unheard of - many feel that as it is an OTC drug that it is "safe" and a little extra won't hurt, or aren't aware of it being in multiple medications that they may take (pain remedies, cold remedies, etc.) As bariartric patients who often have the "no NSAID" thing drilled into us, we are more susceptible than others to overdoing the Tylenol since we don't have other convenient pain relievers available.

A lot on your shoulders all at once. Well we are a ways away, but talk to us anytime. We understand in a way people who haven't been through it don't. You just got to be super strong for yourself and look out for you. But a Bariatric therapist is a good idea, we all can use some help at times. Never be afraid to ask for help, life can be bewildering.

Just my 2 cents: How should a doctor tell you to lose weight? Or should they just not say anything? Who can you help by ignoring it? I think it should be brought up when discussing any health concerns related to weight. If there are no health concerns yet, don't go there. It's not like they haven't noticed. However, opposite answer for pediatricians. Parent do seem to have a blind spot for "baby fat". Not sure how to broach the subject, though. Would it be better if nutrition classes or a healthy lifestyle program was offered at the same time? Yes, my doctor's office told me to lose weight every time they saw me. But when I asked for help, they said they didn't advocate anything but diet and exercise. Well, gee whiz, they'd watched me go up and down hundreds of pounds during that time. Why did they think it would work this time? Some form of help would have been appreciated. Should the conversation only happen with another big person? Would you feel less judged that way? I don't think that matters. Or does it seem silly for a fat person to tell another fat person to lose weight? Empathy or irony? Depends, one may have co-morbidities that the other does not. Again, I don't think the size of the medical professional should matter. I mean, my obstetrician was male; he never experienced pregnancy. Would it be better or worse if bariatric surgery was mentioned? Would it help if I flashed my scars? I think it could be mentioned among a list of alternatives. In fact, it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a handout that discussed pharmaceutical options, behavioral modification options and surgical options with pros/cons. This would include the weight ranges for which each was appropriate. Tell me about times when a medical professional told you to lose weight. How did it feel? What would have made it better? Generally, I got angry because I'm overall in good health, no-comorbidities, etc. I felt like they used that as the catch-all excuse to not look into the actual causes of my issues. Hangnail? Lose weight, it'll get better. Pneumonia, lose weight, it'll help. Pimple on my a$$, lose weight, it'll help. You know what? Even if the weight did contribute to the problem, telling me that it might improve in a year or two after I lost an unlikely amount of weight was not helpful. Especially if you would have sent a non-obese person for some actual treatment. I stopped going to doctors entirely. They weren't going to help me lose the weight, just document my suffering. /Rant over/

I know this is a loaded subject, but here goes: I am a nurse and the physicians I work with often recommend weight loss to thier patients. Some approach this conversation better than others. As a nurse I understand that losing weight makes patients healthier and the obesity epidemic can not be ignored . . . . BUT as a patient I hated being told to lose weight, in fact I kinda wanted to lash out at the skinny wench. Duh, if it was so easy I wouldn't be fat bc it is SUPER fun not being able to: find clothes that fit, reach my toes, breath while I put on shoes, or fit in a small chair. So here are my questions for you all: How should a doctor tell you to lose weight? Or should they just not say anything? Who can you help by ignoring it? Would it be better if nutrition classes or a healthy lifestyle program was offered at the same time? Should the conversation only happen with another big person? Would you feel less judged that way? Or does it seem silly for a fat person to tell another fat person to lose weight? Empathy or irony? Would it be better or worse if bariatric surgery was mentioned? Would it help if I flashed my scars? Tell me about times when a medical professional told you to lose weight. How did it feel? What would have made it better? I can change how this is done where I work, but need input. You can PM me if you want, too. Second guessing this post, might belong in the rant and rave section.

Thank you for your advice and I will definitely take it to heart I have Incorporated shakes into my life now they are a lifesaver I use the premier protein shakes from Walmart that's what my doctor recommended I have tried all flavors my favorite is good vanilla it's good by itself but it's also great to make a protein shake with as a base in the blender I went on Pinterest and search for bariatric shakes to change up the flavor there is a world of information on there and extracts are your best friends from extracts I have learned to make all kinds of flavors even mint chocolate chip LOL thank you for all your encouragement I wish you well and hope that you get your surgery soon it hurts to put in all the work and then be turned away or fall through the cracks keep your chin up it will happen very soon for you!!! I will keep you in my prayers and ask God to expedite you are surgery!!!![emoji5] [emoji5] Sent from my SM-J327T1 using BariatricPal mobile app

This only an educated guess, you are still very swollen inside. Let's examine two good reasons 1. While you were asleep,you had an endo -tracheal in place to help you breathe. Don't worry, every Man- Jack of us did or will have one. It goes with the territory, this is not the type you sit upright in a dental chair for! No matter how gentle a surgeon or an anesthesiologist is, and most of them have done it so often they are smooth as silk with it, there can be a little scraping going in or coming out. Its okay, it will heal, when you have your tonsils out, they give ice cream, we bariatric,patients get cheated,we have to,make do with sugar free popsicles. 2. Your stomach is also swollen, doesn't matter whether,you now have a banananrama sleeve or a kangaroo pouch, you fall heir to swelling. While,you are healing,in other ways, your poor stomach is saying WTF,did YOU do to,little ME? And it shows its displeasure by being red and swollen inside. That too will heal, and like every surgical patient, there will be pain. What pain is worse? Good question, but every one of them hurts, I have had abdominal, facial , arm and leg incisions and healed well from them all. But not a single one of them made me want to,go dance through the daffodils. You are early days yet, give yourself permission to heal. Remember: Every Day and in Every day,You are going,to,get better and better. Usually my 3 and 4 days were the worst but we all vary. A very good friend was Day#2 , anotherwas fine until day 7 when she wanted to find her surgeon and turn him into a steer. if you get,my drift. Lucky for him he went,on holiday in either the Bahamas or Barbados where Bajan Sleeve lives. But my friend had fire in her eyes and malice in her ❤toward him. Darling, check it,out with your own doctor,when you see him, but I am virtually certain you will be just fine!😛

I did take nutritional classes before surgery but she basically talked about calories carbs protein and measurements I never really got instructions on how to eat and what to eat until I left the hospital with a few paper handouts everything that I have learned has been in the last 30 days over Googling on my phone some of this stuff is blowing me away how I have been eating and the things that I'm not supposed to be doing I'm learning all on the internet and buy my phone such as bariatric pal I have done a 190 turn around and have been trying to follow the rules and learn everything I can about how to eat I am still very green and learning I am one month and 1 week post-op I have had to go back and kind of restart and I'm trying to learn as I go what to eat how to eat and how much to eat this hasn't been easy at all it seems as though I have a stomach made out of steel!!! It seems as though I can eat anything and everything nothing has made me sick in any kind of way if I overeat which is a lot more than I would say normal I do get a small pain in my stomach but other than that nothing has really bothered me of course I don't eat like that anymore and push myself I am trying to follow the rules Sent from my SM-J327T1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Did your doctor's office not have nutritional class requirements? I realize that they're add different, but it sounds like you got cheated on the preparation side. I agree with Purple Girl, even if your doctor's group doesn't have a bariatric support group, check with local hospitals. I know that the group at my hospital is open to everyone. It doesn't matter where you had your surgery.

Thats the problem, bariatrics wont do anything if I utter the word infection other than cancel it =( As I have to have blood work done they are going to find it so, I haven't talked to my surgeon about it in case i have to cancel again...guess Im going to have to tomorrow =( I might have to be a winter buddy instead of an Indian Summer buddy lol