MeMeMEEE

I had my daughter get me eggdrop Soup yesterday with as much eggs strained as possible - her friends parents own the place and it was sooo awesome. I have gotten soup from a few other places too, including Olive Garden today and just asked for as much broth as possible. Not too bad but the eggdrop was the best and pretty sure I will be having more tomorrow! Bought me a nice strainer for a cup and it works well.

now I need to have a popsicle! LOL my dog has gotten part of my dinner broth 2 nights in a row so I am trying to add something more in to be sure I get all 64oz in. Hope you feel better!!

thinking of you and sending wishes for speedy recovery!

Sending lots of prayers! You're up for the team!!

Yes, moving down on the losers bench!! (hmm can we have a losers bench if we are the All Stars??)

My schedule looks like this - Vitamin/Mineral Schedule With Breakfast (i.e. 8 am): 1 Bariatric Advantage Tropical Chewable Multivitamin 1 Bariatric Advantage calcium citrate Lozenge With lunch (i.e. 12 pm): 1 Bariatric Advantage Tropical Chewable Multivitamin 1 Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate Lozenge 2 hours after Lunch (i.e. 2pm) 60 mg Chewable Iron Supplement (ferrous fumarate) With dinner (i.e. 5 pm): 1 Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate Lozenge Before Bed: 1 Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate Lozenge Sundays (or 1 day/week): 1 (1000 mcg) sublingual B12 tablet

I don't have a protein requirement yet, we are supposed to trial them and if it doesn't sit well back off. Having said that, I have gotten 6 grams the first day home, 31,38, 36 and so far today I have 14 in. Milk seems to be bothering me so I am getting some almond milk or soy milk today to try. I am getting some in via Greek yogurt and jello besides the shake - which yesterday I did a half shake and will probably do the same today. Hydration is my goal until my first post op visit at 2 weeks. Hope that helps. Glad you are feeling better!!

Sending good thoughts and prayers your way - I know there are lots of people here who have dealt with military, maybe someone has some suggestions!

I love having popsicles!

yes some digital scales can be junk - I own two Tanita brand, they are awesome and always accurate - have had my oldest one for about 10 years I guess. Got the second one because it measures in .2 increments where original was .5. Tanita is the brand that weight watchers uses at their meetings.

you guys will do great - and the week will fly by!!

added

I have to get 64 oz of fluid so my protein counts toward it. I have been getting to 64 oz since day 3, I have been able to get in one shake for the last 3 days, it sits heavy with me. Yesterday I did half a shake and half a greek yogurt (I can have yogurt right now - no fruit in it). That was my first yogurt and it was nice to have something different. I dreamt last night that I was at a party and stuffed myself, ate the whole time. I was so freaked out and sad, Glad to wake up from that! I got the ok to take chewable tylenol yesterday because I couldn't stand the liquid. They also gave me vicodin which I took one before bed - maybe that brought on my dream? I don't know if it made sleep any better.

My program requires it just once a week as well. I have to take my first one today.

My surgery was the day before you. I don't think I have had any real surgical gas pain but I have felt gassy from the protein. My NUT guidelines are that if we have gas with protein make it with water or soy milk as apparently there can be some lactose intolerance early out. I spend my whole day sipping as well, going to bed almost as soon as I have my 64 oz in. I can tell it is getting easier to drink but I still easily tired and my belly is tender. I just try to come here and read the threads of others and see when things got better. Hang in there!

I told my manager, I work from home and one day we were in the office and I was discussing it with a few of my other work from home buddies and she came in to the conversation - her husband had bypass about 10 years ago and she has been incredibly supportive. Just a few of my fellow workers know, the ones I am close to. I took FMLA as I only had about 4.5 days of time off to use. I am planning to take 3.5 weeks off to get settled in to my new way of eating and all that. You really don't have to tell them anything but I would say it should depend on your relationship, you certainly can tell them and may be surprised by their support!!

When I first met my surgeon in April and asked how many sleeves he had done it was 12. He had been doing them just over a year. However he has done over 650 bariatric surgeries, 2/3 of his practice is this. He is specialized in laproscopic surgery and does NO open surgeries. I asked to meet someone in person who had the sleeve and they set me up with a mentor. She thinks she was 5th or 6th of his sleeves. She is now a year out and doing great, she has had no problems. I am not sure how many sleeves he has done between April and August but my NUT told me no one is going lapband and all want the sleeve now - problem is a lot of insurances still don't cover it so it is relatively low number for most doctors on experience . I think experience isn't just in the particular surgery but about techniques also. I stuck with my surgeon, had my sleeve Monday and am very happy - no complications and no complaints! Also my hospital's program is a Bariatric Center of Excellence.

I was sooo good and didn't cheat at all but man did I want to 2 days before I went to a party! I had some green beans cooked with bacon (no bacon but still) and some of the onion/tomato/cucumber salad which I am sure probably had sugar in the dressing. Nothing was said at all about the size of my liver so I am guessing I was ok!

It is soo important to take vitamins that are designed for bariatric patients - we don't absorb some forms of important vitamins like we used to. This woman is incredibly knowledgeable http://wlsvitagarten.com/ and has so much information - she is willing to answer many questions also. I hope that helps!! Also, I suggest emailing success@celebratevitamins.com and requesting samples - they send a very nice packet for free, takes about 3 weeks.

I felt pretty good on Friday and did quite a bit - yesterday I was drained. I did leave the house a few times though - grocery store and small wedding. Planning very little for today, hoping I can get my daughter to go to Wal-Mart later for some meds. I can't tolerate the liquid pain meds, did get the ok today to take chewable children's Tylenol. They also insisted on calling in vicodin pills as well which I guess I will try at night. I have been sleeping in bed, lots of pillows piled around me and behind me. I am ok once I get comfortable but it does take a while. Walking is uncomfortable I think since the tummy is just hanging, pulling on everything. If I am around the house I support it. I can't imagine going back to work yet either and I work from home. I wouldn't be able to get my fluids in sitting at a computer working.

When I first met my surgeon in April and asked how many sleeves he had done it was 12. He had been doing them just over a year. However he has done over 650 bariatric surgeries, 2/3 of his practice is this. He is specialized in laproscopic surgery and does NO open surgeries. I asked to meet someone in person who had the sleeve and they set me up with a mentor. She thinks she was 5th or 6th of his sleeves. She is now a year out. I am not sure how many sleeves he has done between April and August but my NUT told me no one is going lapband and all want the sleeve now - problem is a lot of insurances still don't cover it. He was asked in support group this month if he had a favorite surgery to perform and he said bypass. He didn't press me to do one surgery over the other and basically let me choose. I didn't have any co-morbidities and my BMI was high 40's. I think experience isn't just in the particular surgery.

I am on clear liquids, takes me every waking hour to get in my 64 oz.

I'm on clear liquids until my first followup, the 23rd. Honestly not sure if I could eat anything, protein shake is the only non clear I can have and it sis like a brick! Some clears do too.

added you newlife!!

Do you have any higher calorie shakes? I have some I got as samples and have been trying to put one in a day just to add a little calories. I have also heard of people adding some pudding mix to them or fruit blended. How about drinking things that are higher calories - what are you getting 64 oz in? Could you make decaf tea with regular sugar? Just any little think you can change might help up your calories. I am so sorry you are going through such a tough time but remember you need to take care of yourself too - for you and your kids