MicNic

I do most of my work sitting but do hve to get up and walk around to get things. I am the weird one in my surgical date group (there is always one!) that is not healing as fast as others! I took 2 weeks off and I am so glad I did! At 1 1/2 week, I move slowly and I still can't bend over tp pick up things. I get tired easily and I still need to take anti-nausea meds and pain meds (both of which can make me sleepy) combine that with the sudden lack of calories and less than normal drinking habits and whew! I am so glad that I get to take my time and focus on me before returning to work!

Just checked out the HG website.. WOW!! So excited!

I did blend everything up, completey smooth! Today I had about 3 oz of cottage cheese and it took me over 30 minutes to actually eat it all. I will slow down on the amount of soup, I just thought because it was a liquid it would be the same as drinking Water. I was WRONG! Today was a better day- cheeks are still very red and my voice is still on and off but I had a little more energy today then yesterday. I keep reminding myself that it was major surgery and I am not as young as I used to be! My husband keeps telling me not to compare myself to others and their progress but it is so hard! I saw the recipe on here for refried beans.. if I thin them out can I eat them as a pureed food? It is so hard! My doc pretty much told me that I can eat anything that I can blend up like applesauce. The consitency is the important thing. My diet says I can have mashed potatoes and potatoe soup now and to enjoy it because those things shouldn't be on the menu later but I don't know. I paid over 15,000 for this surgery! Cream soup doesn't have lots of Protein (which I can add- Thank goodness for Unjury!!!) but has fat and carbs. What the heck are we supposed to be eating? Has anyone seen a sample menu for those of us on pureed food?

Check at you grocery store for the boxed pudding. I have been able to find all kinds of flavors that are SF/FF! Good luck!

Every Doctor is different in what they want their patients to do pre-op. Some want high Protein, low carb/fat liquid diet (wanting to shrink the liver), others want 2 Protein shakes and a lean cuisine for dinner. Other's just go on the phase one south beach diet. I think it all works, it is just what the Doctor wants. : )

Ok, so my surgery was Nov. 17th. All is going well, I think. I just have some questions and I don't want to bother my doctor when you all have been through this! 1. Did anyone else get stitches in their muscles on top of their ribs? Everytime I stand up it feels like a charlie horse in both sides of my ribs- sucks a$$! 2. I sip, sip, sip Water. Trying to get in all the fluids and the Protein. I had my first pureed meal last night (chicken noodle Soup with extra unflavored protein) and a wedge of laughing cow cheese (which I crave). 6oz of soup and I felt AWFUL! So full. I am going to try 5oz today.. should I be trying less? I can drink 6 oz of water in about 30 min so I thought that much soup wouldn't be a big deal- it was like gravy constency so very thin. 3. My checks keep getting flushed. Not like a blush- more like standing in front of a fire. I don't have a fever, just for some reason my cheeks are going crazy! 4. When I walk around, because of my ribs hurting and my back hurting from trying not to twist my ribs- I can hardly breathe and end up losing my voice. It's so weird! I can talk just fine, regular voice and then do two laps around my kitchen and I sound like I have strep throat! Then I sit back down for about an hour and my voice comes back. Any one else have any of these things happen to them? All in all I feel so much better then I did a week ago and luckily I was able to take two weeks off from work so hopefully by next week I will be fine but it just seems odd and no one else seems to be having these issues. I am so FEARFUL of a leak or honestly of anything that might require more surgery! Love this website and love all the helpful people! I am thankful for all of you!!!

I know! I was a little shocked as well! I am not sure if I am the only one that experienced that or not but I was so not ready to need that kind of assistance! 1 week pre-op and I am doing OK with it now, still sore. I have size DDD boobs, maybe they hampered my ability to bend without pressing into sore muscles- I don't know. But if you can, make sure that you have people around at least every hour or so for the first week ust to make sure that you can rest. My husband and sister have been awesome and I actually feel so much better today then I did yesterday! Everyday is ust a little better and it has me so excited! I can tell that this is a much bigger adjustment then I was thinking. I mean we all know that having a smaller tummy means eating less. But if you have a free moment, puree some soup and measure off 6 oz of it. I bet right now you could drink that in 2-3 swallows. I had that last night (with a 1/2 scoop of unflavored protein from unjury for a boost) and it took me 20 minutes and honestly- it was to much. Today, I will be trying 5 oz. My husband had 3 or 4 (I lost count) pieces of pizza. In the time it took him to eat his, I had finished my soup. I was SO FULL! Uncomfortably full. He went back for seconds (hence why I am unsure how many pieces he ate!). Luckily for him, he is not overweight and can do that. Luckily for me, my tunny is going to help me be small and make much better choices! : ) Best wishes to you!

Enjoy Bra shopping! I can"t wait to lose my tight 48 DDD's! I was in a 36 D in high school so I am not sure how small they will get but I am so looking forward to it! Have a great day!

Wow, it seems like everyone is doing way better than me! Istill can't get up from a sitting position and just taking a short walk or a shower wears me out! Usually I am up by 7a and don't stop my day until midnight. Now I am just napping the day away. I have been cleared for purred foods. Had chicken noodle soup with a half scoop of unflavored protein in hopes of increasing my energy. I started a food diary yesterday. I am going to use the memo taker on my phone since I always have it with me. Hoping all is doing well and really hope that I can catch up to you all soon!

Hey Flicka, sorry to hear about your leak! if you (or other's that have had leaks) have the time, could you tell me what felt off or what the symptoms were for you? I know everyone is different but I want to at least be keeping a list in the back of my head in case it happens to me!

Happy Thanksgiving! I too skipped on the family dinner this year but I am excited to see how different next year will be!

I feel ya! I haven't been shouting it out to just everyone but if people ask, I tell. So far, I have ony had one person that when I told them which weight-loss surgery I was having give me hard time. Turned out she had just had the lap band put into place. I was polite and just told her that I choose the VSG because I didn't like needles. She hadn"t had her first fill but made sure to tell me how she (in her own woeds) ate like a pig at her family's holiday meal because she still could and she is already working out how to keep eating some of her favorite things. I don't think she got the idea of her tool!

Way to go Dawn! The drin didn't really boher me when it ws in but I was sure glad it didn't hurt when it came out!!! I get to start pureed foods now.. stage one baby food texture. I actually can't wait to have a different taste in my mouth! I am going to lick a laughing cow cube tomorrow for sure! Tonight, I had the rest of the egg drop soup my hubby brought me. It was so yummy, again. Again- good job! I can't believe you are already back at work!

Hello! I just had surgery on Wednesday Nov. 17th and let me tell you... I was not quite ready for the amount of care that I need! I would suggest that you find a place to stay with family that can be available when you need help sitting up and getting out of bed to use the restroom or keeping you on schedule with meds and fluids. I haven't been able to bend over so if my undies fall down, I need my hubby to help me out. When I first got home, I couldn't even sit down without assistance because it hurt so bad! Now, I can sit up on my own, sit on the toilet by myself and even wipe pretty well (still can't bend enough in the middle to wipe well if I have had a BM). I know.. TMI.. but I kinda of wish I would have known that it would be this hard! I am lucky that my husband has been here. I called my sister Saturday night and she came to "babysit" me and I made my husband go out with friends. I have a hard time accepting help from others and even after 3 kids- this is the first time my husband has had to wipe up anything because of me! Walking is painful and as much as I hate it, I try to do more and more each day so that hopefully I can get back to being me quicker! I hope I am not scaring you.. I am so happy about the surgery. Moving at first is most painful. I have not had anything but fluids for a week now and I am actually in good spirits and feel good. No hunger although my stomache rumbles all the time (pretty sure it is gas!). I really believe that this is the very best option for me and will allow me to have a much better life! I just have to give up a little dignity for a bit! I am going to give you my list of things I never thought I would have to ask my family for help with... but do. To wipe me after I peed. To wipe me after I had a BM. To clean up the dribbles off the toilet when the only way I could wipe was to stand up. To help me dry off each and every roll and between my legs when I got out of the shower. To put down a towel when I didn't sit far enough back on the toilet and ended up peeing on the floor. To change my undies because of the left over pee that I didn't get off. To empty my drain and strip the tubing so no blood clots would be there. To ask my hubby to put a pad in my underwear because my cycle is off. To have to pee at 3a and need to wake up my hubby to help me sit up and then stand. To change the gauze on my drain hole. To help me ensure my meds are on time and that I have plenty of protein options and fulids near me at all time. Again, I am very lucky and my husband is very supportive. It sounds like your family is behind you on this so you will want to figure out now where you can be for that first week that you are out of the hospital so that you can rest and stretch and walk and drink without having to over do it. Sorry if this is to much info.. just want to make sure that you aren't surprised later on! Best wishes!

Time will fly! Read as much as you can on this website so you can be ubber-prepared! Best wishes!

So glad to hear others are struggling with this as well, is that mean? Oh well, misery loves company! I sleep about 5 hours and then I wake back up. It isn't really abnormal for me, I get about f hours a night when I am working but it seems odd that here I am, able to sleep and relax- kids are at grandma's and my only responsibility is to heal and instead I am lying on the couch checking vst.com and facebook! I watched more tv yesterday then I have in the last 6 months combined! What are you all doing to keep your mind busy since your body is down?

OK, so I had surgery 4 days ago. I am feeling MUCh better then I did the first day but still feel pretty beat up. I read on here how people are already driving and seem to be up and around more. Not sure what"s wrong with me but my abs are killing me. The surgeon told me that she had to put stitches into the muscles in my abs and that it would feel like I have been sucker-punched from time to time when moving or flexing these muscles. She wasn't lying! I can't rotate my upper body and getting up from lying down or from a sitting position is very hard. Sometimes feels like how people describe a gun shot.. hot, searing pain. So here is what I am experiencing and I thought I would share since they are not things that I was prepared for.. I realize that other people seem already past this and since everyone heals different I figured I would share... Getting up from a sitting position is painful Getting on and off the toilet is hard and can be painful Can barely wipe after I pee (not really effiecent) and can not reach between my legs to wipe when I have a bm Wasn't prepared to feel like some kicked me 100's of times in the ribs and middle back. Medicine knocks me out but I actually like that! I am not hungry but I do miss chewing right now. My left shoulder and arm are achy. Not sure if this is gas or because my IV was in my vein at my elbow so I held it funny for 3 days. The drain and blood garande (what I call the drain reserver) are not painful, unless I am stripping out the clots (which no one told me about) I am unable to take my birth control meds because she doesn't think my tummy is ready for pills so now my cycle is acting like it wants to come back already. Hoping it doesn't! I can't imagine dealing with that on top of everything else! Otherwise I am in good spirts and while this is all hard I am happy that I did this and can't wait to be back to feeling better and start losing weight!!!

Update- Took a MUCH needed shower and also had my first BM. Luckily, I do not seem constipated! Just took a dose of pain meds and nausea meds and am relaxing on the couch. Been sip,sip,sipping Water all morning. My hubby is going to make me some broth when I wake up from my nap this afternoon and we are then going to read over the Dr's post op diet instructions together. I read it prior but all the meds make me tired so he thought he would read it and give me a hand. He is seriously being amazing! He doesn't like cuts or to see people in pain and the poor guy had had to help me dress the drain spot, empty the drain and pull up my pants carefully over everything. I wouldn't been doind as well as I am right now if it wasn't for him! Also to my mom who took my kids for a week (they are out on break) so they could have fun without having to worry about me. gonna take a nap now- later!

I had surgery on Wednesday, stayed two nights in the hospital and came home yesterday evening. The worst pain was not from gas (which I had expected) but from my abs. Getting in and out of bed or sitting and standing still seem to be the worst of it. I can tell I have a ton of gas in my stomach and intestines, I can hear it and feel it but it doesn't hurt. I havent had a bm yet, not really looking forward to it since I can barely bend in the middle and I think clean up will be difficult! My husband has been wonderful. He set his alarm for every 3 hours to ensure that I get my meds on time and to assist me off the couch. He even went for a walk around the kitchen with me at 330a! I go back to the doctor on Monday hoping the drain comes out then. Not because it hurts, just think it is gross! I think all the meds I am on keeps me very tired, 1 for pain and 4 for nausea. I am so scared of throwing up- I can't even imagine how painful that would be! I am so thankful for this website. It is winderful to not be alone. Hope to continue to talk over things! Micnic

Well, had surgery on Wednesday. I don't remember much about that day except that I was not as friendly as I could have been to the nursing staff's suggestions to get out a bed to use the restroom and to their annoucement that I would be getting my blood sugar checked every 6 hours. You may not know this but I HATE shots! So it was a bit of a shock to me that I would be getting blood thinners injected into my gut every 8 hours while I was at the hopsital. Luckily, they didn't hurt much (burn just a little) and must have worked great from the brusies all over my belly! My surgeon is Dr. Fearing with Mally Weight Loss. She is so incredibly nice! She was also very kind to my family and made sure to answer all of their questions and explained everything in good detail. I am now sitting at home (would rather be in the hospital) blogging while I wait for a nurse to call me back because I need help figuring out when to take what med. I am so tired, I feel like I have slept non stop for the last few days. Feels pretty good to sleep! The worst pain so far is getting up and sitting down. I didn't really think a head that my bed is high and climbimg into bed really isn't an option tonight, neither is lying down straight and trying to sit back up- OUCH! So I am camping out on my couch. I feel like this is rambling and I am having toruble keeping my eyes open so I am going to set my alarm for 3 hours and take some more medicine! Take care!

Good luck you two!

Well, met with the surgeon and did pre-op appt at the hospital. I am getting so excited! I am so hoping that it goes easy afterward. I have had my gall bladder out (15 years ago) and had 3 kids.. how hard can this be.. right?? haha. I am older now- I think it might be a little different then I remember! I am waiting for my unjury protein supply to show up today. I ordered a sample pack so that I can try it out and the unflavored protein. I figure since I like the portein shake I drink, maybe I could just add a little extra protein to it and it will be prefect! I am hoping that I loe the chicken flavored protein as much as the people did in the reviews. I plan on trying out all the flavors and then ordering the big bags of what I like. Bad part is that it take 4-5 days to get here. Surgery is schedule for 9a on the 17th. I keep wishing it would just hurry up and get here and then I see my list of to dos and I realize I have way more work to do then I have time. Probably good because it keeps me busy but bad because this site keeps pulling me back! It's like facebook only with less drama! Anyway- all is well here- just counting down the days!

So I am having surgery on Nov. 17th and while I am so ready to have this done, I think if it was scheduled for Dec. I would have to wait until the New Year. It has nothing to do with food. It has to do with family traditions. See, I don't know how I am going to feel after surgery and my kids are out of school for Thanksgiving week so I talked to my mom and she is taking them for fall break and fixing them thanksgiving dinner. Now I can rest and re-coup without having to feel pressure to preform tasks I am not ready for. But in Dec we have school programs, setting up the tree, decorating the house, christmas shopping, etc. Since I don't know how I long or hard the recovery from surgery will be or if the post op diet will drain my energy for a week or two- I wouldn't want to risk it. My family is very supportive of my decision and they understand that when my life changes- all of our lives change. They are already complaining that I won't stop for a Snacks like I used too. I tell them to get over it but that is snacks.. not christmas/family time! I think if you are really excited about it, you might be able to set it all up so that you will get through Dec with the surgery just fine. If at all possible start shopping for presents now, maybe set up for Christmas right after Thanksgiving, pretty much just move things up so that you can be sure to take a week off to focus on you after the surgery without guilt. I wish you the best of luck with whatever date you choose!

Is there anyone out there that doesn't have a weight goal? The people in my life that know I am having surgery keep asking what I am hoping for. My answer is always, to be here when my grandchildren are! I just want to be healthy. They ask what size I want to be. This question always stumps me. I don't have a "size" I want to be. I usually just say smaller. I know what I want.. I want to be able to go into a store and pick up an outfit for a wedding or a party without having to go to Lane Bryant or Catherine's. I want choices! I want to wear matching pj"s with my girls! I want my boobs to be much smaller! I don't have a weight and I am afraid that if I have a "goal" that I will freak out if it looks like I am not making it. I have been reading and reading on here. I am READY to get on with life after surgery. I like the idea of a 3 bite rule for sweets (sometimes you just have to have a bite!) I feel so empowered already and I haven't even had the surgery! It is just the fact that I know that I am doing somethng about my health and in turn it will make a difference in the health and well being of my family! I am so impressed with all of you guys. It is really nice to know that there is a place that I can go where my craziness is understood! I am looking forward to our "friendship" for many years to come!!