biggriz

Hi Everyone, Thanks for the nice comments!!! Today was a good day, I got up and felt good! I did have some allergy symptoms for the first time since the surgery I kinda hoped the surgery somehow cured me of that but no such luck!!! Went to the doctor and I was down 13 pounds on their scale! I'll take it. Doctor said I was doing fine and everything was going as scheduled. He was pleased with my loss and everything I was drinking. I was cleared to go back to work next week with a lifting restriction and everything should be great. I even asked if I could start cutting the grass and working around the yard and he said go for it unless I feel pain then stop, So, I came home and cut the yard and washed the front siding and and enjoyed the day outside for a few hours. Then I was exhausted and came in and took a nap!!!! Fortunately the kids were at their Aunts today so I could do that!!! For all of those who are about to be sleeved or just got sleeved, just know that it gets easier. It may take a little longer than me or you may be up and running in no time at all but life returns to normal and time marches on! Take Care, Mike

We tried to keep it alive while you were out but lets just say - glad your back!!!!!

Well......I tried this stuff and there is NO way I could drink it. It's not for me!!!! Initially the taste is good but there is one heck of an aftertaste that is something I can't deal with!!!!

I bet you'll be just fine!!!! The good news is you're almost there!! You've made it and will be on to the next part of your journey soon. Good luck tomorrow!

Well it looks like we have 5 people getting sleeved tomorrow!!!!! Seeing how Nancy is in the hospital, I'll take over her usual duties of posting well wishes and prayers to those who are next up!!! You guys will all do great!!!!

Well, tomorrow is my 1 week follow up already!!! Man how time flies! Today was my best day by far. I was able to get all my fluids in without an issue and feel really good. Almost all my pain and gas are gone and I am beginning to feel normal. Looking back at it, the surgery and the first few days are already starting to become a blurr, I guess that's a good thing, the bodies way of moving forward. Usually I don't get excited to go to the doctor but I can't wait for tomorrow! I'm down about 14 pounds since the day of surgery on my home scale so I want to see what it says there. Hope everyone is doing good, Mike

Hey boots, Glad to hear your getting yourself prepared mentally!!! The time before surgery is for us to prepare and it sounds like you're doing it right. I can relate to the pop issue. I used to drink about 1-2 pots of coffee a day and 3-5 Diet Cokes. The month before surgery I spent reducing those down and switching to caffeine free. Haven't had a drink of pop in 6 days now and could careless. The last 3 days I've had a decaf coffee in the morning and really enjoyed it. Seems to open me up some. Take Care, Mike

I picked up some raspberry Isopure at the vitamin shoppe today. Haven't tried it yet but put a couple in the fridge. What a great way to get half your protein and fluid intake in one bottle.

Good luck to everyone of you tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!! I am confident you will get through it just fine and will join the rest of us on the other side!! Saying Prayers for each of you now!! Update us when you can

Nancy, You just made me HUNGRY!!!!!! Hahaha - just kidding, Pasta was one of my arch enemies in the food world.

That's good to hear! I think I will try the Isopure drinks tomorrow. I've been cleared for full liquids but getting the shakes down has been a challenge. I've heard others talk about Isopure and how easy they are. I was considering adding Protein powder to my Gatorade and trying to drink it that way. The thinner drinks seem a lot easier to get down at this point. Glad you're doing good!

Hey, Good luck tomorrow!!! I can assure you that it's nothing like you think it will be. Everything leading up to the moment they put you out is the old you and when you wake up in recovery - it's like a new life has started. You will be fine and it's ok to be nervous - it's just nerves, work through them. Even if you have to calm yourself down minute to minute, that's ok. You'll get through it. Be strong because you'll need that strength on the other side when you're fighting for the new you! And don't worry about the food and eating after the surgery, it changes you so much that you won't even want to eat the first few days and when you start eating Jello and sipping on Protein shakes it will take you half the day to get one down. When you awake in recovery, you will no longer be a slave to food - and that's a great thing!!!!

Good Luck!!!!

Sounds like the madness has begun for you!!! Trying to mentally prepare for surgery without being able to eat is a tough day - I went through it last week and I can relate. Make yourself busy today and hope that it flies by. Hopefully the fact that you'll need a blood draw will help keep you occupied today and help you stay busy. You can do this!!!

Prayers - Well Wishes & Support are going out to all of you!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know exactly how you are feeling and I promise you - It's the best thing you'll every do! Tomorrow will be ruff but it gets better by the hour - Get on the boards and let us know how it goes as soon as you're all up to it!!

I was so nervous last week it's not even funny! I assure you that it's normal and it will probably get worse. I made sure the day before surgery I had so much to get done that I didn't have time to think about it until bedtime. That night and the morning of were a mix of intense nerves and excitement. For me it was leaving the house. I went and kissed both my little ones and got in the car and it just hit me hard. Once I got down the road a mile I was fine and never looked back. You can do it and you will be fine but you will more than likely be emotional.

I used a straw today 3 times without a problem. I will certainly be asking about it on my 1 week follow up but it seems to help a lot.

That's nice to hear

Hey All, I just did some research on the topic of using a straw after WLS. Checking on this board and a few others it seems like a controversial issue. I was told at my preop appointment not to use one after surgery. With all the trouble I'm having getting the Protein shakes in, I thought I'd try to figure out why. It appears the concern is with air, some people draw a lot of air in with a straw. I went ahead and tried one this morning with my carnation Breakfast shake and it seems to make things a lot easier. Anyone have any opinions on this? I'd love to hear what others have heard from their doctors and nutritionists. Thanks, Mike

I can relate to the disgusted feeling your talking about!! We have these food funerals and as we are doing it we realize this is pathetic and the reason for all our problems in the first place. I think those feelings of disgust and failure are the feelings that help drive us through the surgery and keep us motivated on the other side!!! On another note - how are things going for you? Any insight you can give us or new discoveries? are you able to get all your Protein and fluids in? I'm struggling with getting it all in myself. Take Care

This was a great read - A lot of good advice and suggestions here from everyone. Thanks for the info

I had several "Farewell Meals" along the way. I took my favorites and had a final night with a few of them. So very strange that I would think that way but it is what it is. For me it was pizza, Chinese, Pasta and fast food Breakfast. A few weeks ago I ordered pizza for the family, ordered myself a medium and ate the entire thing in one evening plus bread sticks - funny that now I can barely get a Protein shake down and a few weeks back I ate enough pizza for 4 people. I think theres some value in having the farewell meal or meals, If it helps you move on then go for it and get it behind you. I think it helped me a lot mentally.

I'm doing good. Struggling to get everything in, made my first homemade Protein shake today. I was able to sip about half of it down over an hour or so. It's really hard because I really have no appetite. Very strange for me but I'm rolling with it. Everything is rumbling and moving inside today, lots of loud noises and gas. Hoping that all goes away soon and I get a little appetite back so I can enjoy my shakes and yogurts and such. Then again, I've only been out of surgery two days so I'm probably being a little impatient. I'm wishing you the best of luck and want to hear all about your journey when you feel good enough to share with us.

I have looked into the Protein shots as well. They have them at GNC and Vitamin world locations. I was kicking around the idea of trying some of the protein pudding too. They have a sugar free pudding with 30g of protein. My nutritionist highly recommended the Liquid Protein shooters.

Well things are really starting to "move" around this morning. Sleep last night was kinda broken but I feel rested and refreshed. Had some decent heartburn last night so I slept in the recliner sighting up slightly and that helped a lot. Woke up at about 5am feeling good. Sipped some water and took a little nap til 730. I took a shot of my liquid vicodin and the acid came back almost immediately. I will be using that as little as possible now that I know it's one of the culprits. But like I said, things are moving today - my abdomen is rumbling and growling like crazy. Gas is finally starting to pass and I'm sitting here sipping a decaf coffee. Weighed in this morning and I was down 4.5lbs since the day before surgery. Hope everyone is doing well - good luck to all those that are going on Monday, I'm sure this will be a long, exciting and anxious weekend for you all!!!!