WhoozisAnyway

I'm going to call it "Chewbacca" or "Chewie" for short, because it sure grumbles like a Wookie when liquid hits it! Sent from my iPad using VST

Just have to vent a little here . . . I am an EXTREMELY private person. I have only told my hubby, siblings and a couple of friends about my upcoming surgery (April 9th, yay). I've never been comfortable with accepting comments and attention and I think my noticeable weight loss is going to be the hardest part of my journey. I absolutely dread discussing my weight issues with people. No one in my office knows exactly why I'm going on leave, and I cannot tell my parents because my mother will be jealous and negative about it. I don't want daily inquiries as to pounds lost, or critique as to what I eat. There's the backstory. Anyhoo, I asked my dear hubby to please not say anything to our friends or relatives, and he kept his word . . . kind of. I love this man more than anything, but my goodness sometimes people are clueless! Last week we were at a gathering with some friends. I'm half-listening as Hubby discussed an upcoming vacation with a friend who will be joining us. Friend knows I'm having a little "female procedure" but not the purpose. Discussion moves to dining plans. Hubby sweetly says "Well, we're not sure if the dining plan will be right for us, as Whoozis will be on a very strict diet after her surgery." I see friend's face register the comment. Sigh. Well, that news will be all over our circle of friends now. Last night we're talking about schedule the day of surgery. Hubby says he cleared time off with his boss and made her aware I was having a procedure. He tells me that boss offered to bring me dinner my night in the hospital as she lives close by. Hubby AGAIN innocently says "I told her not to do that because you will be on a strict diet following surgery." Great, now it will be all over his office too. AAAAGGGGHHHHHH!!!! I had to sit him down and explain that when you tell someone that I am having surgery and then immediately follow up with "strict diet afterwards" line, it takes that person all of 2 seconds to figure out what I'm having done. He had no idea anyone would figure it out. Seriously. I didn't ask how many other friends he gave this line too. I'm afraid to know. I'm not angry, on some level I find it hilarious and oddly endearing that he is that naive. Someone could give him that line about their spouse and he'd have no idea what they were talking about. He's been supportive of my decision and has never criticized my many weight fluctuations over the years. I simply feel the need to vent a little, so thanks for letting me do that . . . ANONYMOUSLY!!!! Still shaking my head . . .

Chell, my preop diet prescribed by my doctor is very close to what you have switched to. 2-3 Protein shakes and one small high protein meal per day. It was doable enough that I actually started almost a month before surgery, and lost 20 lbs to boot. To help it along, I logged every bite on myfitnesspal and kept daily totals to 1200 calories or less. Sent from my iPad using VST

Zero nausea for me. I was prescribed the patch to put behind my ear, but I had to take it off the day after surgery because it was causing a rash. Sent from my iPad using VST

@slimthickens, I have Tazo Organic Spicy Ginger Caffeine Free tea. It has a little bite to it when fully steeped, but don't be deterred by "spicy" in the name. To avoid overdoing it this early, I only let it steep for a minute or so. I've used ginger for years to combat unhappy tummy, usually chewing a piece of Trader Joe's candied ginger helps tremendously (although that stuff can really be spicy). Since I won't be having candied ginger for a long time, the tea will have to suffice. Having said that, I've had no nausea at all since surgery. Sent from my iPad using VST

Thanks Lyra! I think it's because we've all worked together for so many years, it's morphed more into a dyfunctional family, lol. In my preop testing I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia that also needed repair. If I really get pushed, I can just say I got it fixed. It's true, and a boring subject that doesnt invite further discussion - but I'm keeping the alien excuse as a backup! Sent from my iPad using VST

Yay jdhenin! I was sleeved on 4/9 too and so far so good. Same as you, just gurgling and soreness to deal with, have only taken one half dose of liquid Tylenol, really haven't had enough pain to justify nasty liquid medicine (whoever thought up "pleasant cherry flavor" should be poked with a sharp stick, but I digress). Glad to hear others are doing well too! Congrats! Sent from my iPad using VST

Joyous, everything that Lissa stated is exactly what I experienced on Monday. I was nervous that morning, but it really wasn't bad. I had more post surgical pain after my sinus surgery last Jan. than I did from this. I'm very sore but feeling pretty good otherwise. Trying to walk the last of the gas bubbles out today. Good luck to you! Sent from my iPad using VST

April 9th sleeves here too! Back at home, sore but moving around, sipping as many liquids as I can. New tummy likes to talk, lol! Sounds like a Wookie from Star Wars when liquid hits it! Stats: 41 y.o. Highest wt: 274 Surgery wt: 254 Goal: 150-ish Sent from my iPad using VST

I'm ok, madambones, how about you? Was released from the hospital early this afternoon, SO glad to be home. I feel like I just performed a bazillion ab crunches, but very little actual pain. I took maybe six doses of the morphine drip from yesterday thru early this morning, mostly so I could sleep. Had half a dose of liquid Tylenol with codeine when we got home. Some gas pains but that is subsiding a little. I thought I was starving earlier, but I'm pretty sure it was gas bubbles. New tummy has not hesitated to make some noise when I drink anything. Had ice chips and three 1 ounce thimbles of chicken broth in hospital, another two ounces of broth and some Crystal Light since coming home. Now sipping some ginger tea. Tomorrow I can start full liquids and protein drinks. Walked several times in the hospital, but I was the only one walking amongst the other bariatric patients. Guess they haven't been reading this board. Still sleepy and taking lots of catnaps. How is everyone else doing? Sent from my iPad using VST

Was sleeved this morning, yay! Pain not bad, akin to doing a bazzillion situps. Have some gas pain in my last shoulder. Been up to walk a few times. Mostly just sleepy and very thirsty. Sent from my iPad using VST

Cabot makes a good one too. Even the Winn Dixie store brand version is pretty decent.

@madambones, I'm scheduled for Monday as well. Good luck! Sent from my iPad using VST

I spoke to my nurse about this issue, as I've been "backed up" on the pre op diet. Was concerned about post op. she said not to use Benefiber for a few weeks as it is a bulking powder and can clog up the new tummy. She said to use a dose of Miralax every day until things even out. Just an FYI. Sent from my iPad using VST

Had my last surgical consult yesterday, as well as meeting with the hospital staff. Everything is on schedule for Monday morning. Excited, a teensy bit nervous, but not afraid. Will have to skip the family Easter dinner as I'll be on clears and prep, but that's a small price to pay for getting my life back. Best wishes to everyone else! Sent from my iPad using VST

Unfortunately, this isn't a simple problem. It's a hang up I have no matter if I'm thin or fat. There is nothing I hate more than being questioned or scrutinized about my weight and it can put me into a full blown panic attack. Most of my friends will be cool but there are a couple of co-workers and my mother who would never give me peace. For my own well being, I need to keep this quiet until I can adjust to the changes. Nevertheless, Hubby didn't mean to let on and I'm not mad. Sent from my iPad using VST

Congrats Dina! Sent from my iPad using VST

I read the following article yesterday. So many of the writer's musings on the emotional aspect of being overweight really hit home for me. I thought some of you might find it interesting too: http://www.salon.com/2012/03/25/surprised_to_see_me/

Thank you, vsglass! I'll check that out! Sent from my iPad using VST

I bought a jar of Syntrax nectar Unflavored to use during clear liquid phase. Just to try it I stirred some into plain yogurt, and it didn't change the taste at all, and barely thickened the texture a little bit. Unfortunately I'm not sure how much I'll be able to use it, as I've completely broken out all over my face and shoulders since starting whey Protein shakes. May have to go hunting for soy unflavored next. Sigh. I've spent a fortunate already on protein powders that I won't be able to finish. Anyway, here's a link for the Syntrax: http://www.amazon.com/Syntrax-Nectar-Medical-Unflavored-1-Pound/dp/B001I1NSUY

" I think you lose the weight by walking to the bathroom lol " Haaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!! That is hilarious - and true!

Low carb and sugar, high Protein shakes. Worked great for me. Also use a nutrition tracker like Myfitnesspal.com or similar. Nothing will make you behave better than writing everything you eat down. Sent from my iPad using VST

Just a thought . . . The Silk &Protein is rather high in sugar and carbs and only has 5 grams of Protein. You might have better luck doing a low sugar high Protein shake. I love the Silk F&P but gave it to my high metabolism husband because of the nutritional value. Sent from my iPad using VST

I've been lactose intolerant for 20+ years, so when I started my pre-surgery diet I followed recommendations to use whey Protein isolate powder as a protein source (I mix it with Crystal Light or almond milk). Three weeks into my 1-2 shake daily routine, and I've started breaking out along my jawline, chest and shoulders with hard red bumps. Breakouts like this (along with stomach upset) have happened in the past when I ate/drank too much dairy but I was told that whey protein wouldn't bother me. I will break out the same way if I eat too much cottage cheese, but strangely I can eat yogurt and cheese with no problems at all. I'm not happy, not just because of the bumps but because I stocked up on protein powders in preparation for surgery. That's a lot of $$ down the drain. Headed to GNC to try out egg Protein Powder, but I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced anything similar?

I make my own, it's cheaper and tastes the same. Take one carton of fat free plain yogurt (i.e. Dannon or store brand), tiny pinch of salt or to taste, and strain it through a coffee filter or cheesecloth overnight (place yogurt in coffee filter or cheesecloth, set it inside a colander. Put a larger bowl underneath the colander to catch the liquid, cover in plastic wrap and leave in the fridge overnight. Just make sure you don't use a brand that has Gelatin in the ingredient list, as the yogurt won't thicken. You'll end up with 1/2-2/3 of the original volume. I use it much the same way as the above posters - in place of sour cream in any dish, mixed with fruit and a packet of Splenda, sometimes I'll even stir in a scoop of vanilla Protein powder along with some fruit (it's a little grainy but has great flavor). I also like to mix with FF or LF cottage cheese and a spoonful of sugar free jam.