suzcomptime

I've been considering doing 3 weeks of protein shakes and liquids instead of two. I don't know how much harder that would be but it would be nice to get a head start. I know the first few days are hell from what others have said but most say once you get beyond the 3rd day you adjust and it's not so bad. If anyone has done 3 weeks of liquid was the 3rd week a lot harder than the 2nd?.

Thanks for the inspiration. You look awesome and I bet you feel awesome about it too!

Very helpful, thank you.

I am usually warm if anything which is sometimes harder to compensate than being too cold. At least I will be able to add layers if I'm cold.

Yes, forever from what I understand.

4ALongerLife, What were the symptoms of the leak/abscess? I am curious how people know what is normal after surgery pains and illness and when it is something requiring medical attention like a leak or an abscess.

Like someone else said they may require a more stringent pre-op diet. I have to do two weeks of liquid only, no food and some have to do 3 weeks of liquid. Maybe they will have you do the diet they gave you for a longer period and then some liquids for a couple weeks. I am sure they have run into this before and know what to do next for your best health. How disappointing that must have been, if must feel like you're starting over.

As long as all goes well the Dr. will release me at my post op appt which is 2 weeks and a couple of days.

I have read about stalls on here and it appears if you continue following the plan the weight will eventually come off. When I first read your post I thought you had only lost .2 since surgery but it appears from your ticker that you have actually lost almost 13 lbs in 2-1/2 weeks....that doesn't seem too bad. Just stay positive and on track and it sounds like the stall will pass. People who have been through it will probably post and tell you from their own experience. Hang in there and maybe weigh yourself less often.

Do we have to worry about blood clots caused by the sleeve forever or only until we are healed?

My plan says Protein drinks and Clear liquids so for me "No" but I've seen some patients whose Dr. allows them some solid food so you'll have to check with your Dr. or the nutritionist that works with the Dr. Office.

The Firefox browser also has add-ons that will spell check anything you type in a text box. In fact, that may be where my squiggly red lines are coming from when I miss spell a word in this text box.

As you are typing the message, it underlines in red squiggly the words that are misspelled. I don't see the spell check icon though so maybe it tells you it's wrong but doesn't give you suggestions.

I will also utilize my own closet for awhile, have lots of size 16's some still with tags. Once I go below that (amazing to think about), I will shop Goodwill until I feel settled. For now if I get a shopping bug, I buy something toward my surgery (nighty, different Soups, hot pad, small mesh strainer, etc) or shoes.

Nothing was said about shots for me, a friend at work just had surgery in March and she did not have shots either. I was told to walk often to prevent clots. I am wondering about gall bladder medication after surgery. I read that some people take it because with rapid weight loss of any kind we are susceptible to gall stones. I need to ask my Dr. about that.

8 oz of chicken is like 2 -1/2 servings. I don't think that is the amount that they would want us to eat. I would think that maybe some greek yogurt for snack in the morning and afternoon and maybe a Protein drink to help so you don't have to eat so much meat but 8 oz is more than a normal person's serving and we should be eating less than normal. Unless I read something wrong. My sample menu says: Breakfast: 1/2 c cottage cheese or 1 egg with 1 oz cheese. Lunch: 2 oz meat 1/4-1/2c veggies Snack; Protein shake Dinner: 3 oz meat 1/4-1/2c veggies I think that gets 70-75 protein which is my range.

Hmmmm, I can't imagine being on Clear liquids for two weeks. To me clear liquids does not include Protein shakes. The definition of clear liquids in my WLS booklet is: sugar free Jello, chicken or beef broth, Decaf tea, flavored Water, and sugar free popsicles and of course water. I am only on clear liquids 1 day before surgery and day 2 after surgery (1 day). I am on liquids which include Protein Shakes and the list above for two weeks before surgery and 2 weeks after. I would double check to make sure they really mean clear liquids for two weeks....protein shakes don't really fall under clear liquids.

My instructions are to start back with my multivitamin and supplements after my 2 week post op appt with my Dr.

The bariatric advantage calcium chewables are very powdery, I had chocolate, they came in cinnamon as well which is probably what fluffylibra30 is talking about. The ones I really like are the Bariatric Advantage Chewy bites which are little square that taste like candy...probably the ones cattracks is referring to because they come in lemon, raspberry chocolate and caramel. I have the caramel and that is just what they taste like. Only 250 calcium though...the chalky ones are cheaper and have 500 per tablet but the chewy bites one are like having a candy treat.

Good to know the chewable is available. Thanks

I bought some Biotin and started taking it, in case it helps. I don't have surgery until 5/21. I have heard that hair loss does not happen until a few months out....close to 6 months I think and then after a few months it starts growing back thick again. I also heard that keeping up your amount of protein is important to reduce the amount of hair loss. I'm not sure if it is avoidable but I will try to keep up my protein and take the biotin. The Biotin pill is very tiny, but not chewable so we will see how it works after surgery....I think I have to wait for my 2 week checkup to get cleared to start my vitamins back up and hopefully I can take that one along with everything else.

You don't indicate how old you are in your profile so I'm not sure if it might be an injury or arthritis. I have a bad knee....for a long time I just put up with it but finally went to a Orthopedic Dr. who determined it was arthritis from an old motorcycle accident injury. I'm sure my extra weight did not help either. I would recommend that if you continue with knee problems that you have it checked out so that you can get the proper treatment. I take glucosamine supplements which do seem to help. There are also specific exercises for strengthening the muscles around your knee. Squats may be hard on your knee as well, depending on what is actually going on with it. There are other knee issues besides arthritis and the treatments would vary. I would not jog, that will be harder on your knee than walking although once I lose weight and strengthen my leg muscles, I would love to think I could run again.

Good luck and wishing you a speedy recovery.

My nutritionist told me to get some baby food prunes and have on hand for constipation that may occur after my surgery.

Yes, the above is a good question along with how long are you on the clear liquid stage? I am only on Clear Liquids one day before surgery and from 2nd day after surgery until release from hospital. I am on liquids for two weeks prior and from hospital discharge until 2 weeks after....but not clear liquids.