alicia.pedana

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Hi all,

I am coming close to my 2 months post op mark and for the past few weeks I have been getting the WORST dry mouth EVER! It starts in the morning and lasts all day. I have tried everything over the counter and nothing is helping. I called my nutritionist and she had mentioned to increase how much water I am drinking. I was already drinking 64oz a day and now I am drinking even more and am not having any relief. It gets so bad that I literally cannot have a conversation and it becomes embarrassing. Has anyone else experienced this? Does anyone have any advice or tips??

Thank you <3

Hi all,

Prior to getting my gastric sleeve, I was on a pill form birth control. The one I was on worked well for me especially being someone who has endometriosis, however I was told that I would need to switch to something else as the pill form won't be as effective. It was hard for me to give it up after having horrible problems with other birth controls, but I did and I had an IUD placed in. Fast forward 7 months and I am still having issues with my IUD. This is leaving me with the options of the implant in the arm, (possibly) going back on the pill, or abstinence. Considering I don't plan on having kids for another 4 or 5 years, abstinence isn't the option that will work for me. The arm implant, I have heard horror stories about and I may bleed more and have more irregular bleeding which worries me since I have endometriosos. So, I would really like to go back on the pill but I have heard that it can be less effective because of the way my body absorbs things now. But, I have also heard that this might only be a problem for people who get the roux en y surgery. So, I was wondering if any of you can help me out or give me advice?? 

Thank you <3

Hello all!

Exciting news!! I finally received my gastric sleeve!! I have been in the program since June 2019 and have since attended all my classes, doctor appointments, required tests, and required goals. Last week I finally met with the surgeon of my choice and he had asked me when I was thinking about getting my surgery. Since I am in college, I have a very tight schedule and cannot miss many classes and since spring break is next week, I thought it would be an ideal time to have the surgery and have a whole week off from classes. He had asked me how the 26th sounded and I was very surprised when I looked at my calendar to find out it was less than a week away! I decided to take up the offer and I have only missed one of my classes and have a full 10 days to recover. I was placed on the liquid diet asap and was excited and nervous for the new journey ahead of me. Yesterday, I drove a half hour to the hospital with my mom by my side and the support of my family and friends. I could not believe it was happening and everything felt so surreal!! I met everyone who would be in the OR with me prior to going in and it took about 2 hours to go over the questions and prepare me for surgery. I went back in the OR still not believing this was happening and was put under. When I woke up I was in a lot of pain (they had 6 incision sites), I was provided otc tylenol and oxycodone to help with the pain and placed in a room to stay over night to be observed. I woke up feeling like a completely new person and was so happy with my decision despite the pain I was in. I did have some gas pain and I still have some today, I have been taking chewable gas x and trying to get up and walk around really does help it move around your system. All the nurses I had were very nice and made sure all my needs were met. Throughout the rest of that day and night, I sipped on water and had a sugar free italian ice to help with some discomfort in my throat. It was kind of hard to get comfy since I am a person who sleeps on their tummy, so I didn't have the best sleep ever. I also was peeing like a race horse every 20 minutes between the IV fluids and drinking the 8oz of water every hour and it was kind of difficult to go pee because sometimes your bladder falls "asleep" after surgery. In the morning, I was given broth and lowfat greek yogurt that I handled very well and then was given a similar set up for lunch. They ran bloodwork on me and it came back perfect. I met with my surgeon again who stated that the surgery went extreamly well and he was very pleased and since I was doing very well with keeping everything down and my bloodwork coming back great, I was able to go home! So, today is day 2 and I still am in shock haha but, I am so happy with everything so far and have been finding some great ways to make this liquid diet not so bad. I realized that my taste buds did change since the surgery and have already been upset when some of my fav ice pops no longer tasted good :( I also had to have some of my medications changed as we know our absorbtion rate changes after the surgery. I have my follow up appointment in a week with my surgeon and dietician and will hopefully be able to move on to stage 2 of the diet! 

Just wanted to share a little bit of my story with you guys and share my excitement!! Please feel free to ask any questions you may have!! Thank you all for being there and if you are planning on getting the surgery, I wish you luck and it is well worth it! <3 

-Alicia

Hello all,

I am curious as to if you were given any medications for pain after your surgery in the hospital and/or were prescribed any post op during the healing process? If so, when did you have the surgery, what specific operation was done on you, and what did they give you? 

Thanks in advance!

Hello,

My name is Alicia I am 20 years old and my whole life I have struggled with weight issues. My highest weight was 256 and I am currently at 252. I have hypo-thyroidism, insulin resistance, congenital hyperplasia, endometriosis, and gastroperisis to name a few. When I was younger, I was placed on a very high steroid for a long period of time that caused me to gain 100 pounds. I was able to lose 60 of those pounds on my own but due to my endometriosis and being placed numerous birth controls (even was on 2 at the same time), I sadly gained that weight and some back. It was suggested I think about gastric surgery to help some of my issues and to hoppefully live a better and healthier life. In July of this year I decided to begin my journey. I am hoping to be able to schedule my surgery for either December or January. I am still debating between the sleeve or the bypass, but I am leaning more towards the sleeve. I am also currently a full time student at Wilkes University majoring in Early Education with a minor in Reading and Special Education. Along with going to school, I also work part-time at a local woman's homeless shelter and love being able to make an impact on others and their lives. 

-Alicia