DebiC

What an inspiration. Thanks.

I was at costco yesterday (wasn't everyone?) and the oranges and tangelos looked so tempting. I am almost 2 weeks out from surgery. Finishing up full liquids this weekend, and was just wondering when others started being able to eat citrus fruits? I have read some plans that started them at 2 weeks, some 4 and some not until around 4 months. My doctors guidelines don't reference citrus fruits at all.

I'm with Lily-At first I thought "I've been duped-they must not have taken enough" but now, 10 days out I am starting to be able to tell when it's time to stop, drinking or eating. Let me say how glad I am to see this post. When I was getting ready for surgery all the posts were about how awful things were going, all the problems. It really scared me. Then when I didn't need pain meds, didn't have severe gas, only minor nausea and overall felt felt, I thought something was wrong!! I hope other pre-ops find this thread and see that there are a lot of us out there who come through this with relatively little difficulty. Not even 2 weeks out and I don't feel like I've even had surgery. Other than being limited in what I eat (still on full liquids) and how much (usually 1/4 cup) everything else is back to normal.

I know what you mean about the warm water!! I used to take a bottle half filled with Water and freeze it overnight. Then the next morning I filled it the rest of the way with water and took that. I also bought a set of Rubbermaid 20oz bottles with a capped lid that I now use. I keep one with me all day. Fortunately I am at home so I just add more ice whenever it gets low. I really miss drinking with meals as that was when I drank most of my water everyday. Like you say, you are just going to have to make yourself do it. Getting dehydrated is not good sleeved or not,

My doctor allowed me to use just the Carnation breakfast. Mixed with "double protein" milk which is 8 oz of skim milk mixed with 1/3 cup powdered milk (or whatever your brands measure is for a cup of reconstituted milk) I put this in blender with a few ice cubes and occasionally some extracts to change it up a bit. Hang in there.

I'm 56 and a week out from surgery. The first two days were horrible and I felt like I'd made the biggest mistake of my life. Now a week later I can't tell I even had surgery! I have more energy than I have in a long time (I have lost 33 lbs since my ore-op visit). I have been one of the lucky ones-no complications, no side effects. I am just now starting to be able to set up a meal/water schedule. My surgeon said for the first few weeks just eat when you're hungry and stop when you are full-worry more about water than protein. I keep a bottle of water with me at all times and sip whenever I remember. My blood pressure has already gone down enough that they have taken me off two of my three BP medications (of course I had just bought 3 month supplies of both!!) Good Luck. I'm so glad to see so many other over 50's

Doreykn-I'll give you a run for your money on the age thing. You don't look so old in your photo. It's probably not such a bad thing that so many of us have become sensitive to sugar and sugar substitutes. I am learning to appreciate just drinking plain old water-which is probably the best thing anyways-boring-but... Luckily, I didn't develop the intolerance to cold so I keep a big old cup of ice water nearby 24/7

Having so much to lose made me worry about "Failing" also. Then after surgery when I found how little food it took to satisfy me-not such a big worry anymore. I too am having a nausea issue-not bad just annoying. Thanks for all the things you guys suggested-I hadn't thought about it being sugar (I never ingest artificial sweeteners anyways). I too am so sick of all the sweets anyways. I wonder if I will ever crave chocolate again after 4 weeks of shakes for Breakfast, lunch and dinner!! Hang in there and the real key to success is having a support group. So keep posting.

6 days after surgery. Was just getting ready to start on Miralax. Went for post op today and she said that was perfectly normal. The problem comes if you Feel like you have to go and can't.

Look how much better you feel, and how much happier you are than you were yesterday. If the whole thing went as badly as the first two or three days I think we'd all regret it. I'm so glad that you are doing better.

I am 1 week post-op and doing full liquids. I think I'm eating too fast. I can eat about 1/4 cup of pureed Soup or yogurt or whatever, and I use a baby spoon, but it only takes me about 5 minutes. How do you teach yourself to slow down?

I know that long term "grazing" all day-even on small amounts-is a definite no-no. But I am 3 days post-op and am so unclear about when and how much I should be eating Now? I know a lot of people have food problems right after surgery-but I have been lucky so far. It seems I can tolerate anything I choose to have (I am on full liquids). I have limited myself so far to broth, Jello, Water and shakes. should I just have those available and take a spoonful or sip whenever I want-or should I be trying to set up a mealtime schedule even this soon? My doctor is one who wants you on three meals no Snacks, nothing but water in between meals. I am worried a little about Protein as I can't stand another Protein shake (I was actually on Carnation Instant breakfasts, with added milk powder, which aren't that high in protein anyways). I just don't want to start up any bad habits that I will have a hard time breaking. So at the beginning did you just eat your 2 tlb and then wait a few hours or did you take a spoonful or sip whenever you felt like it?

As far as fat free-depends on the product. But I NEVER do sugar free. I get terrible headaches and the taste (even with stevia or truvia) is horrible to me. When I had to do Protein shakes I went with Carnation Instant Breakfast. I think, for me at least, part of the process is to eat unprocessed and natural now since I think fast food and overly processed food is what got me in trouble in the first place.

Tell me it gets better! Just kidding. It would have to. I have been one of the more fortunate ones in some ways. I didn't require any pain meds after surgery and got to come home the next day-unfortunately on oxygen and with drain. Everything makes me nauseaus-hot, cold, room temp. Not vomiting-just sick. Heartburn last night. Took a pepcid and it went away enough to doze off for a few hours. Had a few moments but mostly just keep reminding myself that you guys have been through this and are still around to tell about it. Just a big pansy I guess.

Not having surgery till Monday-but have been on liquids for 2 weeks. Yesterday morning I was able to bend down and tie my shoes by myself which I haven't been able to do for almost 5 years (and that's after only losing 24 lbs-think what it will be like after 50 or 100!!)

I felt that I had thoroughly researched this before committing. I can't back out now-my life depends on it (I have to lose 200+ lbs) but it seems like I overlooked all the posts about how awful the post-op period can be! Someone just told me that chronic diarrhea is a problem. I have never heard this. If it's true is this a long term, meaning permanent, problem? That is scaring me.

Someone just told me that chronic diarrhea is a problem. I have never heard this. If it's true is this a long term, meaning permanent, problem? That is scaring me.

I am in the middle of my pre-op diet. My doctor requires two weeks of 3-4 protein shakes (made with milk) daily and clear liquids-broth-jello-popscicles-no caffeine-no carbonation. Pretty much like Doreykn's. Full liquids for 2 weeks post-op-Soft/Pureed for the next 2 and then regular for weeks 5 and beyond.

I too had a problem with the protein shakes because I can't tolerate artificial sweeteners, My doctor allowed me to switch to Carnation Instant Breakfasts, using 8 oz milk and 1/3 cup powdered instant milk to boost the protein. He doesn't require post-op shakes so I only have to endure for the 2 weeks pre-op.

November 14th seems to be a popular day for surgery. That's when mine is scheduled also! Halfway done with the pre-op liquid only diet (you lucky ones who get at least one meal daily or vegetables!) Anyone thought about how they are handling Thanksgiving? Luckily dinner is not at my house this year. My family all knows so I I have been relieved of having to bring any food. I will be up to full liquids by then so I'm thinking maybe cream of chicken soup!!

Has anyone tried any of the egg white protein powders? I am looking for something that has no artificial sweeteners and as little taste as possible.

I can't tolerate any artificial sweeteners, Not even Stevia. so my only option has been to go with the Carnation Regular. My doctor has me use double strength milk (1 cup milk with 1/3 cup dry milk powder added), You can buy the variety packs and/or all the different flavors at soap. com and drugstore.com

Each doctor is different. Mine doesn't "require" any protein drinks after surgery. They can be used as meal replacement if desired. he prefers that we get our protein from eggs, lean meats, beans etc.

Thank you all so much. Your positive comments have really helped. I am really very excited. Especially at the prospect of being able to go to Disneyland with my grandkids and even just to be able to have the energy to go shopping or for a walk. I'm so glad for places like this that we can connect with each other. Wish me luck. Surgery is on November 14th.

It took me years to get up the courage to go with WLS (I weigh 500lbs at 6' tall). My surgery is in 2 weeks. I start a 2 week pre-op of clear liquids with protein shakes on Monday. Not too worried about that. Did Optifast before and have lots of family support. But when I read post-op topics it seems that a lot of people are not doing well or are unhappy. Getting hungry all the time, having lots of cravings, only losing a lb a week although consuming 250 calories a day. Is that only true for newby's? Are people unhappy that they chose this after a month or two months out? I don't plan to back out now, but I'm starting to become more apprehensive than excited. This is truly my last resort and if I don't have positive results I have no where else to turn. I can barely walk right now and so it will take a significant weight loss before I am able to do any meaningful exercise which I know will speed up the loss.