jewelwithin

Help on this! I'm on day 4 of Clear Liquids. Have stuck to it 100%. Hunger pangs that can be satisfied with the apple juice, unjury chick broth, etc. But I'm actually starting to feel very lightheaded. I'm going to ask the doc's office this tomorrow, but to all of you: Did anyone drink a Protein drink made with milk during the first post-op week? I thought if I made one and split it up throughout the day it would help.

Thanks for sharing...I'll be trying, sounds yummy! @UXgrrl -- too funny!!

Lucky you!! I had 6, at least 3 of which I believe will be removed down the road via plastic surgery to remove what I'm sure will be a very large pennicula.

Thanks everyone -- glad to hear I'm not the only one. I was beginning to worry that there was something not right with my procedure. I definitely am experiencing real hunger and actual stomach grumbling (distinct and different from just the intensinal gurgling which I've had a LOT of!) I can tell because I feel hungry, and then it goes away when I drink something or eat Jello. @LBM – did your doc actually allow milk right after surgery? I think mixing flavored Protein powder would help a lot, but I can’t have until week 2. @SherylO – I agree the broth w/protein can be very satisfying. I don’t know what you’re using, but I got the unjury brand. I got the one that is already flavored as chicken broth. It’s actually really good. Pricey, but I figure worth it right now. @ countess – great idea on the beef broth!! I’ll give it try. @RosieSweetie – my gummy Vitamins are my little treat : ) @ LoserMama – hang in there. I know I noticed I had actually GAINED weight after the hospital stay (presumably all Water weigh from fluids being pushed via IV) I’m so proud of you for walking every day ... that’s fantastic! I’ve felt too weak but hope to start in the next day or so. Just keep it up...you WILL lose the weight!

Yep, they gave me Milk of Magnesia in the hosp. I'm having the opposite problem -- all liquid coming out. Sry...TMI I suppose, but if anyone has had a similar experience let me know. I'm only 2 days out from surgery though, so this may well just work itself out.

I had my surgery Thursday, and all my meds have to be crushed or the capsule opened to take powder directly. These are NASTY, nasty nasty! I've tried eating with jello (and will try applesauce), but some of the pills are so bitter that nothing cuts it. I had tried to get liquid of an Rx that came in that form, but nothing did. Since I take all my meds in the morning, my plan now is to chase them with gummy vitamins.

I'm having surgery on the 29th, but was only scheduled a week ago. Bought and started using the protein powder in milk, but every day caved and have eaten favorite foods. I'm disappointed in myself, and know that beyond the "food funeral" there was some emotional eating at play. I feel scared about post-surgery. I truly do feel ready for this (have been considering/investigating weight loss surgery for a couple of years now), but I know that this is just a tool. And the tool will only be as effective -- and safe -- as the person using it.

There were two, but I think everyone was moving towards one where everyone was talking about names. I don't see either forum now? In the section by year there is a Jan. 2012 group but nothing is in it.

Spoke to the surgeon's office today about the situation and was told it's A-OK. Tomorrow morning @ 9 ... woooo-hoooo!

No, I can click on the link. It's just that takes me essentially to where you're saying...support groups > 2012 > Jan > My post. I can click on that one post and see our responses. BUT if I go through the main nav on my own like you said to: support groups > 2012 > Jan., I see my post/question to the right. However, it shows that there are 4 posts/130 replies for Jan overall...when I click on Jan., though, again it shows me only my post as far as topics. Are there actually other topics & replies that were transferred over from the main forum area to this support group area, or is it just my post that's showing up for you? Sorry...I hate crap like this ; ) Thank you very much for your help.

This is really weird...when I cut & paste this into my browser, it simply brings me back to this support group....

This really hit a nerve with me. My husband I separated several months ago. He made it known through critical comments and behavior over the years that he wasn't happy with my appearance -- even when I weighed much less than I do now. He even got to the point where he refused to have sex at all. The comment, "you need to lose more and it will go away" makes me think that he is not overweight (or not as much as you have been)? And so maybe he doesn't understand that when you lose a significant amount of weight you are going to have skin/fat overhangs? I just wondered because my husband said very similar things to me at a point several years ago when I weighed far less but had a panniculus from how much my tummy stretched during my pregnancies. He thought I could just exercise it off. Uh, nope! But beyond all this, sexual arousal has as much to do with what's going on in your head as it does your physical body (size, shape, hormones, etc.) How on earth does he expect you to feel excited about hopping in the sack with him if he's constantly making negative statements and asking critical questions about every last part of your body? All of us that struggle with weight know that we have enough negativity running around in our heads about our body image, so having the person who is going to be physically intimate with us adding to the mix just makes things worse. ESPECIALLY after you've made the choice to do the hard work necessary with WLS to reclaim a healthier you. Maybe present him with a list of these negative things he has said and tell him now he's got to come up with just as many positive things to say about you to balance the scale (no pun intended)!! Sorry to vent, too -- as you can tell my emotions are still a little raw over my own husband situation.

I know EXACTLY how you feel. Right now my wardrobe choices are so limited. For me it's black slacks and some sort of top for work. Pretty monotonous. I'm going to try to set aside two or three bucks for every pound loss and keep in a jar until I reach my goal. And then, celebration shopping spree will definitely be in order! I know there will be some make-do sizes & needs in between, but I'm going to try to do second hand as much as possible as I move towards my goal.

Large AND destructive...reminds me too much of what I am and have been doing to get this way! Jewels ... def too girly...didn't think of that. I'm not in love w/any of these but they come to mind: Jackrabbits, Jaguars, Jockeys or Jets Jailbreaks (kind of a play on words with us freeing ourselves from the "prison" of fat) Jamborees (doesn't really work since it's more of a group rather than individuals??) Joyriders Now this is a little out there but it actually makes sense: Jetsams...it's actually cargo that is thrown overboard to lighten the load of a ship

Hi Heather, I chose VGS over RNY because it eliminates the potential for malabsorption and dumping. I know these aren't issues with all RNY patients, but I simply didn't want to take the chance. I also liked the fact that it wasn't "rerouting my plumbing," so to speak. I liked the fact that it was keeping everything in my body working essentially the same, though with a smaller stomach.

Thanks for the info! I am excited, and I will let my surgeon know that at least until yesterday it was Protein shakes + solid food. And I was trying to get in before year-end as well. In any event, counting down the last 24 hours!

K, I agree with so much that's being said here. We've lead different versions of the same bad Lifetime movie. Spent several years married to a man who I dearly loved (he was my "first love" from my early 20s...truly the love of my life). But part of the "deal" included several years of emotional, verbal and sometimes physical abuse -- and one more chance, one more chance, one more chance from me. Don't want to paint the wrong impression -- no broken bones or black eyes. But a fair amount of pushing, poking me in the face, shoving me down, and a couple of threats I don't care to re-live at this point. And in fact, there was a direct relationship between the amount I weighed and how poorly I was allowing myself to be treated. Imagine that. What I'm clear on now, several months after I sent him packing, is that I am finally focusing on taking care of ME. It's very easy to lose yourself when you focus all your emotional and physical energy on a man you love, and children you love (have those, too). I feel like now, for the first time in many years, I'm focusing on what I want and need. Not neglecting my kids, job, etc., but finally putting me top on my list of priorities, where I should have been all along. All the best to you as you shrink into the new you ; D and most importantly, find the solid, strong footing you've had all along but are just now re-claiming for yourself.

We must run at the same temp. I walk outside when it's 30 or 40 in a t-shirt and be fine. It sounds silly, but I really look forward to the day I have to buy a coat! (I actually don't own one, and haven't for years).

Ditto to that! I get so sick of the constant sweatiness, even in cooler months. Sometimes it seems like my sweat drips like a leaky faucet, and then I get self-conscious about it (and nervous) so I sweat more!!

I set my username as "jewelwithin," as in a diamond in the rough, because even though it's true, I hate referring to myself as a skinny chick in a fat person's body. So if January Jewels resonates with folks, feel free to steal the name from me!

Hoping you don't mind if I slide in here ... my surgery is this Thursday, Dec. 29th!

I hope by this hour you are recovering smoothly. Let the "rebirth" begin! : D

I haven't yet spoken to the surgeon, but for the next day and a half I'm doing clear liquids only. I've heard from others that if your BMI was more in the 40 range that the liver shrinking isn't as much of an issue?? Also that it takes a good couple of weeks for that to happen anyhow?? I'm not trying to downplay my missteps here, but it occurs to me that if I was put on the protein shake diet the afternoon of the 23rd for surgery the morning of the 29th then maybe this won't be an issue? Thanks to all for responding!!

Funny that you say that....I have felt less satisfied and comforted, too, about my fav go-to foods. In some ways I feel that's it's the mental step I've taken to really believe that this is it, and that I'm serious. It is my time to begin my journey to a healthier me. But you're right, it's all about that conditioning over many years. I just feel disappointed that even with my commitment and determination, I've not done my part to make my surgery the best it could be (shrinking liver, etc., for instruments).

I'm having surgery on the 29th, but was only scheduled a week ago. Bought and started using the protein powder in milk, but every day caved and have eaten favorite foods. I'm disappointed in myself, and know that beyond the "food funeral" there was some emotional eating at play. I feel scared about post-surgery. I truly do feel ready for this (have been considering/investigating weight loss surgery for a couple of years now), but I know that this is just a tool. And the tool will only be as effective -- and safe -- as the person using it.