Post Op Questions...

Annden, don't confuse Optislim and Optifast, they are made by different companies.

Optifast is a product of Nestlé Nutrition, and Optislim is made in Australia by OptiPharm.

In the OptiPharm range, I think only the Optislim2000 is a VLCD product the others are not a complete meal replacement.

Peter.

Hi Annden, my dietician actually told me to get Optislim cause it tastes nicer and that's what I did. I say Opti Fast because it's a wider known brand (kinda like the old esky, kleenex type of thing). I didn't mind the Chocolate Optislim with about 6-7 drops of peppermint essence added...tasted just like a mint slice biscuit. But the whole process is the tiring and horrible thing, I don't know how people are supposed to do it for 12wks at a time...sheesh

Crikey, if the manufacturers of Optifast read this page, they would have to do something serious about their product. However, here in Perth I've trialled their range Optislim which is not so bad.

I have to agree with you on that one Rita....even the refulx I had initially was better than the Opti Fast diet....ugh I hope never to have to do it again!!

Hi all,
I had shoulder pain immediately after surgery, but just for that day. I had painkillers that day, but none after that. Truly, the 3 week diet before the
surgery was the worst part of this whole experience!

Rita B





Surgery date: July 21, 2008
Highest weight pre-op: 323 lbs, ; 147 k
Weight now: 260.5 lbs. ; 118k

Hi guys, I also didn't have any shoulder tip pain and haven't had any pain killers since coming home.

I didn't have any of the shoulder tip pain, and by the 2nd day I was only taking panadol which I didn't feel like I needed anyway.

Since leaving the hospital I have not had any pain killers.

So everyone's journey is different, hopefully you will be similar.

Peter.

Op is scheduled for 10 December but not sure if family is OK about it yet. I am.

yes i believe its related to the gas, but is the exception to get it rather than the rule
when is your op ?

HI Kittycat, I also appreciate you sharing your story, helps keep it all in perspective. My surgeon has spoken about the problems they had with the leaking but they now use a glue as well and haven't had any problems since then so fingers crossed.

Re shoulder pain, a few people have mentioned this and that scares me ( a bit silly as I have had two total knee relacements and three children), I had shoulder pain following the lapband and was not a pleasant experience, apparently something to do with gas??? is this the same??

holly369 wrote:

Hayley wrote:

Hi Holly,

When I read that you said that you feel like you are dying faster the way you are now, it struck so familiar with me. I know everyone will possibly laugh at me for saying this, as I am only 29 but I really felt before surgery that I was running out of time. I almost heard the clock ticking away every day. Thanks for sharing your story. Please keep us all up to date with how you are going.
Hugs to you dear,

Hayley

Hi Hayley,
My friend is a worry wart! She is all worried that I am not worried about having the surgery (and the doctor-is he good?) etc. Well, I told her this, I am 54 years old and I'm going to die someday, everyone does. And I am going to die earlier because I am overweight, have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea. So hopefully the surgery will help, but if it kills me, then I was meant to go. But if it doesn't, I'll live much longer because of it and with a better quality of life. At this time, the way I feel, I can't imagine even wanting to live that much longer anyway (I know, pretty morbid). I just want to have my surgery and get my damn life back (without medicines, being out of breath with just a little exercise, being in pain (knees, etc.)). That's all I care about. I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired!!

HI Hayley and Holly
I said something similar to a frien of mine a while ago when I mentioned the sleeve as I had just heard about it. I have had total knee replacements both knees, my ankle are giving me trouble, my cholsterol is bordering on high, there is diabetes in my family so I worry about that every time I have a blood test.I also suffer with trigeminal neuralgia which is not associated but a very painful nerve condition that comes for a few months then goes away. I also am sick and tired of being sick and tired and of dying soon if I don't get the weight off. Its good t talk to others that feel/have felt the same way

The Post op plan from Mercy is:
2 weeks liquid Diet, avoiding all solid foods. Starting with only foods that can easily pass through a straw for the first few days, increasing to thicker liquids like yoghurt or pureed fruit (if tollerated)
4 weeks transition diet to thicker foods (Mushies)
Then start a solid diet, and cut out any high calorie liquids that you may have been taking.

Peter.

My doc has given me some instructions that i thought were a little odd compared to what everyone else is given.

i have 2 days of clear fluid, day 3-4 till week 3 puree diet and soft diet weeks 6-8.

cheers Xan

2 days on clear fluids
2 weeks on full fluids ( including thin purees)
4 weeks on mushies
Then gradually making my way up to real food

Now im nearly 15 weeks post op and can eat whatever i like

Nicole

Hi everybody

I would like to know how long you were on the liquid stage after the op and how long on the mushi stage.

Hi Mareeki,

If you are talking post op then my dietitican said it's fine to have Up N Go's.

steph

Hi

I really want to leave the optifast and would like to know if I will be fine if I use Up and go, V8 and milkshakes, custard and jelly. I hate optifast.

Mareeki

That is so good, it really fills me with hope and makes me realise I am doing the right thing going for this op.

I went for my inital appointment a week ago and have lost 4 kilos already...only because the doc decided to weigh me when I am pre menstraul and carrying my usual extra 4 kilos of fluid around. Men! You think they could wait for the right time!! They just never get it right!!

I'm going to start practising because seriously, some poor nurse will be wearing a mouthful of dissolved pills if I don't.

Don't worry, Rice Cake, it's not as bad as it seems.
I agree that dissolved pills are disgusting, but I managed it for weeks, where some only have to do it for a few days. So if I can do it, so can you!
And in the scheme of things, it's not long at all. And ICU is only for the one night - you'll be fine.
Chris

chrisbychic wrote:

Hey Rice Cake
Don't worry - most people seem to go back to work after just a few weeks - depending on what you do, of course.
As for the tablets, they'll crush them for you, or dissolve them if they can. They'll work it out for you.
I had heaps of tablets that I usually take, but didn't have for a while because I couldn't swallow a tablet for ages - but that's uncommon, apparently, so you should be fine.
Chris

well, if they dissolve them in water and make me drink them, I can guarantee now some nurse will be wearing them. They are vile, I struggle now just to swollow them.I don't know why they have to make them taste so bad. I'd rather have some medicine up my bum than have to drink my tablets. :[img]http://ww

I spent my first night in HDU (high dependency unit). i think most people do after surgery.

I went back to work after 3 weeks but could have gone back after 2

Nicole

hiya

I am going to be 11days post op tomorrow and am planning on heading off to work. i sit at a desk for most of the day so nothing stenuous, and tomorrow is only half a day to see how i go!

cheers
DR

Rice cake wrote:

do you need six weeks off surgery after the sleeve. I've not got enough annual leave. I was planning on two weeks off after the surgery. Now I am worried.

Hi Rice Cake!

I was back at work two weeks after surgery, although I think I could have gone back sooner. I just took my time and tried not to over do it.

- Hayley

Hey Rice Cake
Don't worry - most people seem to go back to work after just a few weeks - depending on what you do, of course.
As for the tablets, they'll crush them for you, or dissolve them if they can. They'll work it out for you.
I had heaps of tablets that I usually take, but didn't have for a while because I couldn't swallow a tablet for ages - but that's uncommon, apparently, so you should be fine.
Chris

do you need six weeks off surgery after the sleeve. I've not got enough annual leave. I was planning on two weeks off after the surgery. Now I am worried.