Tilly Kaye

Had my 6 month appointment today. Protein levels are really low. Not really surprised by that. I haven't been doing my shakes, so I need to get back to that. Everything else looked good - which was a relief. I'm not losing a great deal, but I think I'm losing inches. I wish I would have measured myself before my surgery so I'd know exactly how much, but my clothes are definitely fitting differently. I'm down 5 pants sizes! I feel fantastic and think I look pretty darn good. Still a ways to go, but feeling really inspired. Definitely need to start exercising more and add strength training. I'm getting there. yay!

No I'm headed to Philly again. My timing for these things is always messed up. I'm hoping I can make it in May.

How many mg of iron do you take, Molly?

I have been stalled for 6 weeks now. Ugh. Since my surgery 10/23 I've lost 42 lbs. 67 total since I started the process in July. But now I'm stuck. Added exercise a couple of weeks ago (I've never been a fan). I don't seem to dump on anything - which sounds good but isn't. I have some issues with meat - if I eat too fast or too much or it's dry. But other than that I feel "normal". I have been good with my protein so I'm going to work in that. I'm losing hair which isn't fun. Too bad the scale doesn't move for hair loss! I need to get over this hump!

What form/brand of calcium are you taking? I know we need to take calcium citrate, but I'm trying to figure out if there is something better for me. I'm currently taking Citrical petites but I need to take 2 pills 3 times a day - which is hard to do. I'm just not getting them in. I saw liquid calcium citrate online. Does anyone take that? How do you get all of you calcium in?

Am in such a rut on what to eat and cook (I'm just over 2 months out). I've seen a couple of cookbooks out there. I'm looking for recommendations. What have you guys used?

I'm just about 6 weeks out and really struggling. I am having so many problems eating. Nothing is sitting right. I either feel nauseous or just so full I want to throw up (and I haven't eaten enough to justify that). I did pretty well the first three weeks but now I just constantly feel awful. I'm not getting my vitamins, protein or water in (they aren't sitting right either). I'm set to go to the doc's office on Wednesday. Has this happened to anyone else? I'm trying every combination of timing and even going back to puréed food. Nothing seems to be working. Aargh.

I've been taking the Prilosec capsule with no problems. I sent a message to Steve on my chart and got a reply back from one of the nurses that I'm not supposed to do any capsules for 6 weeks. That really surprised me. I swear I keep getting conflicting information from them. Either way I'm sticking to the liquid for now.

How soon were you able to take Tylenol capsules? I'm taking other small pills. I ran out of my liquid Tylenol and could really use pills about now. I'm about 3 weeks post- op.

Had my surgery on Wednesday. Home on Friday. Still really, really sore. Sharp shooting pain in my lower left. Makes it hard to stand up straight. Doing ok if I'm just sitting. And I'm not nauseous and able to eat and drink, so that's good. Really wish I could get past the pain phase of this.

Waking up in the hospital today after surgery yesterday. All is going well. Definitely some pain and my neck is stiff. Wasn't able to sleep more than and hour or two at a time but all and all it went well.

Just got my surgery time. Set for 2:50 tomorrow!

I'm at day 6, too and I'm not going to lie - it's tough. I haven't cheated but it hasn't been fun. Broth isn't bad. You can add seasoning and spices Get wonton soup and just drink the broth. Definitely drink lots of water. I really think that after this puréed food sounds fantastic! Who would have thought. Best of luck to you and know we're all in the same boat!

Spent yesterday going through the final preop appointments. Met with the PA, nutritionist, hospital learning center and had labs. Today starts the 2-week liquid diet. This is getting real.

How do you change your protein? I only see the calorie goal?

Molly - did he end up taking your appendix? Glad you're feeling better today. How do you feel about going home? Do you want to or would you feel better staying in for another day?

OMG, Molly. You must be going stir crazy waiting. Hopefully yours is speedy!

Does anyone take liquid vitamins instead of the chewable ones? I had a sample of this one at Costco and it looks like it would be good. http://www.ecodrink.com/ecodrink-daily.html. Maybe it would be good to drink in addtion to the chewables? Looks like Ecodrink make a priobiotic too. I'm still preop and am trying to come up with the best way to get my vitamins. I take a bunch now (have for years) and just want to get the most out of what I take.

How soon after your surgery did you start taking them?

I'm approved and scheduled for October 23rd! I'm feeling really unprepared.

I have a tentative date of October 23rd!

I know everyone experiences everything differently and we all have different tolerances for pain, but I'd like a better idea of how sore I'll be after my surgery. Was getting in/out of bed a problem? Did you sleep in a recliner? Are stairs an issue? Was pain the biggest reason you held off returning to work? I'm a telecommuter and work from home, so I don't know how incapaciated I'll be and if I can get to work within a couple of days (my hours are flexible and I can work on my laptop on the couch). Thanks!

Hello, I'm in McFarland (Madison). Had my first consult July 2nd (Dr. Campos at UW). In the middle of the classes now (@Newbie - they are with Tammy and Steve - the dept. PA and Scott - the psychologist. Covering all sorts of interesting stuff). Hopefully all will be submitted by the end of the month with surgery in October! fyi - if you see me in support group my name is Corie. Tilly Kaye is just my "handle".

Try www.womanwithin.com

@madisonmolly - who is your surgeon at UW? I'm seeing Campos. First consult was July 2nd. I was convinced I wanted the lapband, but after my EGD he told me that was no longer an option. I have a hiatal hernia. Sound really similar to how your experience is going. I start my classes on the 9th. How about you?