Amanda 3.0

I am also interested in this product, but it seems pricey even without shipping charges. I've never been a big mac and cheese person, but it might be a good way to cram some Protein in.

I can't wait to wear jeans tucked into some cute boots. I already got the boots, just need to feel comfortable in the right jeans!

I have a few more weeks of full liquids to go. It just wasn't that fun to eat with the family. I don't mind that they are eating something different (although baked chicken certainly smells better than bean Soup or oatmeal), but taking so long to eat 2T - 4T of food, and it being cold quickly, and much of it being stuck to the bowl, and the spoon too big for small containers, was just no fun! So I took some advice and bought an electric mug warmer off Amazon. Some of the negative reviews stated that it didn't keep coffee "hot", it kept it "warm". One person's curse is another person's blessing, I guess. So I keep that at my place at the table. I also went to a restaurant supply and bought six cute small glass bowls with very sloped sides, and a dozen demitasse spoons. It feels much more civilized now!

Kathy, I looked at some baby food spoons too, that was my original idea on Amazon. Then I thought of demitasse spoons I already own but they are really nice, and were a gift, so I didn't want to ruin those. I found the basic demitasse spoons at the restaurant supply for like $2 for a dozen! The mug warmer is great. I wish I could remember where I read about it and go say thanks.

The guy took time out to answer your post. I don't think he was rude. Just because someone else smoked afterward with no problems doesn't mean you won't have problems. And, what if problems come three years down the road instead of immediately? Disclaimer: Ex-smoker here, 1-1/2 packs for 25 years. It is well documented that smoking impedes healing. Some doctors, especially cosmetic surgeons, will not operate on smokers. Their wounds do not heal as well or as nicely. Your wounds are mostly on the inside. My insurance will not even pay for this surgery for smokers. I had to take multiple blood tests to prove I am not a smoker in order to be approved. I understand it is hard to quit, trust me. I tried more than once before succeeding. But instead of looking for reasons why it is okay to smoke, why not do whatever you can to stay off the smokes? You will never regret NOT smoking.

Thanks, Flawedman!

Does anyone else shop at costco and/or Sam's Club? We buy their canned chicken and turkey for quick additions to Soups and salads, but I am still on liquids so haven't tried them post-op. Are they as moist as the Tyson? I've never bought the Tyson stuff. Looks like you are paying $2 for 7 oz, and the canned breast meat at Sam's/Costco is ~$2 for a 13oz can (in a multi-pack of like 5 or 6 cans). I realize the cans need to be drained now so part of that weight must be Water but not that much.

That is so funny and it would really be a harmless comment. I am going to keep that in mind. To the OP, I think you are overreacting. Was her motive malice? No. Americans, especially, are overserved and tend to overeat in restaurants. And as was stated, if you didn't like the food, the waitress will likely take the brunt of it in her tip. Maybe she is trying to ensure you were satisfied. Or maybe she comes from the clean plate club herself (even if she is skinny). Perhaps next time a box is offered up, you could gush over how delicious it was but really you are satisfied. "OMG, those were the BEST potato skins ever, but I'm done!" (scoot plate towards overbearing waitress). Or, take the box if repeatedly offered, and just leave it on the table. If you often are uncomfortable in booths, can you not just request a table when the hostess is going to seat you, even if this means waiting a few more minutes?

I am desperate to not lose my hair. I am so faithful about my Protein. I have been at protein "goal" of minimum 60g since the day after I came home from the hospital and also I am eating these huge Vitamins. Some people I have talked to say I will lose it regardless, but I am doing everything in my power not to. I am not quite two weeks out yet, but no hair loss that I can tell. I know that's too soon to count on though!

I bought some Gerber First Foods prunes. Yes, baby food. I am still on full liquids. The portion is small, 2.5 oz. It is just prunes and Water, nothing funky in there. My bariatric coordinator told me to use milk of magnesia for any constipation. I did use some one time. I was very happy that Phillips makes a concentrated version so that one only needs to take half the dose. It is "fresh strawberry" flavored. The half dose is 1-2 Tablespoons, which is appreciated when 2 Tablespoons is a lot for our new stomach. I think I only took one Tablespoon and it worked in about six hours. Good luck, because that is miserable.

When the bariatric coordinator and nutritionist were talking ounces, they seemed to be talking "liquid" measure, which is by volume (measuring cup), not weight (scale). We all have measuring cups, but many Americans are not so familiar with the kitchen scale. The bariatric coordinator gave me a small 7" diameter styrofoam plate that she had marked up as a visual guide. I will try to attach a cell pic. Anyway, from what I can see, in my case, they kind of expect us to use measuring cups, but I will be weighing my Protein on my gram scale and using measuring cups for vegetables and starches. That is, when I get on real food again!

Perhaps a lower BMI would be an indicator of a smaller liver, I am not sure. I was lower than many on my BMI (a smidge under 40 on day of surgery), and also my surgeon required a very easy pre-op diet for me: low fat (<15g/day)/low calorie/vegetarian. I accidentally had a little too much fat a few days, by assuming a few things. I didn't get a full two week pre-op prep time, due to trying to get in before the end of the year. Mine was scheduled less than two weeks out. I just think it is a good idea to be up front with our surgeons so that there are no surprises on the table. I can only imagine going through all these emotions and all the prep to just be closed back up without completing the procedure. Good luck to you! Are you excited? One more day!

Does your surgeon know that you haven't prepped for the surgery? I am asking because I was told about a situation where a patient did not prep and apparently they got her all ready and could not do the procedure because her liver was in the way. I can't recall who told me this, scratching my head. It did scare me, and I was pretty darn good for my 13 days of pre-op diet. I definitely didn't eat any meat and totally missed out on my planned birthday dinner. I hope it all goes well for you, but you might want to let your doctor's office know what's up, just in case? Edited to add: I believe it was one of the nurses doing my pre-op tests who told me about the lady who could not have the procedure.

Hi Izzy, welcome! I am new here too, just sleeved last week. I started at your weight and we are the same height, pretty much. My parents are pretty negative too, and I am not in communication with them at this time. If your surgery is in March, do you really want to hear two months of negativity? If it were my family I would not tell them. I am also determined to not lose my hair. I don't know how long it takes to notice the thinning hair, but I got back on my thyroid pills the fourth day after surgery and I am getting a minimum of 60g Protein a day (seven days out from surgery). Oh, and I was petrified the day of surgery and seriously almost took my own IV out to run away, but the doctor gave me some Valium. It's all good now, I have lost eight pounds this week, all of those since coming home from the hospital last Friday. And, I am not hungry. So, hopefully it will be all good. Just surround yourself with the supportive people. Two months is too long to hear people rag on you about your personal health decision!

jasleeve, How are you doing now, and have you managed to get some Protein in? Regarding the Premier Protein drinks from costco, I am reporting back to say that the vanilla definitely have a protein/vitamin smell, but I really don't notice it with the chocolate. Maybe you could give those a try? At 30g protein per container, you could get your protein in with just a few! Also, I added a scoop of unjury to some pureed bean Soup that I made at home, and that was undetectable, although I didn't add a huge amount (just a "boost").

This was not an issue for my surgery, but last year when my husband had major back surgery at a "lesser" local hospital, I would have said: Make my spouse (or whoever is staying with me) comfortable. Give him/her a place to sleep and sheets, blankets and pillows. Let him/her know how to get meals and drinks. After all, this person is going to help me do everything: Roll my IV stand to the bathroom, adjust my bed for me, get me a cup of ice, walk the floor with me, help me in and out of bed, give me a sponge bath, give me a shower. Having a loved one stay in the hospital makes the patient feel more comfortable and takes a huge burden off the nurses and techs. Why some hospitals don't address the comfort of the family is a mystery to me. It seems like a good deal for everyone. The hospital where I had my surgery is great. The rooms are like hotel rooms. There is a sofa in each room that pulls out to a decent twin bed (maybe bigger) and my husband did not have to ask for bedding (although I brought some because I remember my discomfort during his hospital stay). He was proactively given a menu and all his meals were delivered to the room. He was offered towels so he could shower, and they provided toiletries in each room. They really did it right.

Not holding back here. The first two days, I had horrid surgical gas pain. I don't know if you have ever experienced this before, but it is in the shoulder area, and is the result of remnants of the gas they use to "inflate" you to make room to move about in your abdomen (so I understand). It feels like a nail sticking in one shoulder. The answer to this is to walk, walk, walk, and let that gas reabsorb into your system and pass the natural way. Also, apply a heating pad (I took my own). My first ice chips hurt too. Until the bariatric coordinator spent some time with me on posture, and gave me the little measuring cups to help with sipping, I was not a happy camper. The posture helped the most. When swallowing anything, stick those boobs out and sit up straight, head up. Also, on pain: A day can make a huge difference. I wasn't doing great getting things down, so they kept me one more day. The morning I left I was in ZERO pain and a happy camper. My incisions/abdomen have never hurt at all. Sometimes I get an odd feeling and I think maybe there is something healing in there. I still have some residual gas pain from time to time. Heat and walking help. I was given a morphine pump and rarely used it. I hope your day goes smoothly. You can do this. Be sure to check in after you are able to type!

Most of us have to go over so many hurdles for this surgery. Mine took six months. Psychiatrist, counselor, diet doctor, lose 5% of weight, wait on insurance, and then when the surgery date was scheduled, it was like it took me by surprise! Maybe I didn't think it was really going to happen or something. I was sleeved last week, and I got very upset in the pre-op waiting room. They had to give me valium. I was considering pulling my IV out and bolting. Because of the valium I made it through. I was so afraid I wouldn't be able to take the pain, or that life would be horrid afterward. I don't know why. It IS a huge step though, and I think you are normal for having last minute concerns and doubts. Also, our mind is going to tell us at the last minute that we can do this on our own, without surgery. I think it is just fear, it was in my case. I think you are being normal. Try not to think about it too terribly much, if you can help it. That's what I did during the time leading up to surgery. I waited until I was at the hospital to lose it! Good luck to you. In about a week you'll likely be typing away from home, well on the mend! Well, maybe a few gas pains left over.

We do seem to have plenty of bariatric surgeons here. I hope you have an easy time of it!

I thought I was done with the gas pains, but I've had some today. Not fun, but not like right after the surgery! Exercise and heat, so I am told. I even got on my elliptical machine today. I broke down and had a Gas-X strip tonight and I think that helped a bit.

I am only five days out and I am having to consciously slow my water drinking. It is going down quite easily. I am surprised. I hope it stays this easy.

Where are you going in TX? I had mine done in Plano. That's quite a journey!

I think the Jello works really well. You could try it anyway, maybe use half a scoop to start? I am trying different things as well because of the smell. It doesn't affect me as bad, but it is off-putting. I had read that ahead of time, so I am not surprised. I'll let you know if I come across anything else that hides it well. I am sure a whole new world will open up when we can do full liquids, which is tomorrow for me. Yay!

Well you know that you cannot put the Unjury in liquid above 130 degrees or it clumps. I have a kitchen thermometer. I couldn't taste or smell the Unjury and the texture was unaffected. You have to mix the Unjury with the cold Water (use a whisk) and mix the sugar free jello with the hot water and wait for the hot water to cool a bit before mixing them together. And then, chill until firm. It is cloudy but there is no smell or taste. If you were to eat a box of jello in a day, you would get 20g of protein. I am going to try it with extra Unjury next time. I am sipping on plain Unjury in Crystal Light right now, and I am not so impressed. I don't really care for the smell. It isn't terrible, but if you have an aversion to it smell might be half the battle.

If you read through the forums it is crazy how many different reactions there are. I think most people are doing okay after the first few days. My friend who had it done had no bad reaction at all, but she isn't on the forums. If you want to do this, just realize that the odds are in your favor that you will make it through this. Maybe take your friend or husband with you to be your advocate and ask tough questions of your surgeon and to be your second set of ears. Ask the surgeon what he or she is going to do if there are complications and see what he says, are they going to be there for you if it isn't going well?