Joni

It truly is a new life and a new way. Congrats to you!

Yep, I'm 3 wks postop today and I just noticed that I am able to swallow like 3 times in a row when I drink something. No little sip there. It's wonderful too. You will get there!

I could barely stand those protein shots even though they sounded like a great idea. I've had them 2 or 3 times, and I don't think I'll do that again. I think some of them might have questionable protein sources too, so be careful reading your labels.

Congrats on your date! I too took a later date than initially and I have no regrets. You did what was best for YOU. And my pain was very minimal. Sore, yes. And I had no nausea at all. The meds are so good you don't have to be in pain at all. Just push that button, it was my best friend. Another thing that helped me in the hospital was a heating pad.

Yes, there are so many here that went to Mexico. I would definitely go with someone recommended here by many. That strip mall sounds very scary. Good luck, and do your research until you feel comfortable.

I had pills in the hospital, and have had no problems at home with them either. Same place used to have you crush them for a month or 2, but changed their policy.

I'm in my third week and protein is a struggle every day for me! The only way I can get it in is to drink protein shakes. I think as time goes by and we can eat more the protein will be easier to get. I know there are a lot of people who are years out and still drink protein shakes to get in their protein. Just go at your own pace.

If one of your biggest worries is nausea, I would ask for something ahead of time. They asked me in preop if I get nauseated and I said sometimes (although I rarely do), so they gave me something. I was asked again after surgery, and I said I was a little (I really just wanted to make sure I didn't get nauseated), so they gave me something again. I never had any nausea at all. Good luck.

Of course Pookey, you can just stay on this site 24-7 and keep me company!

no kidding Lissa!! Pookey what are devilsticks and flowersticks?

arj - have you tried laughing cow light wedges?

I haven't been to fb in weeks!! I live here.

I too LOVED my coffee. Gave it up 2 wks preop for liq diet. I am now 2-1/2 wks postop and still not drinking it. I was amazed that other than a couple headaches, I was okay with withdrawal. I may drink it again sometime in the future but don't have a plan to start again right now.

I will just share with you what my NUT has told us - you can take any over-the-counter chewable MVI as long as it says "complete" on the label (includes Iron in the tablet). This included children's Flinstones which would be 2 a day. I was taking those preop but I wanted to be sure I had something really good immediately postop, so I bought Celebrate chewables. These are also 2 a day and are huge. Up to now, I've had no problem but now they are getting harder to take. I like the idea of the gummies, but NUT had said check the carbs and sugar cuz they can really add up in the gummies. Don't know how much though, and if it's a difference between taking those or nothing, I might just do that.

Pronounced as boo-gee. Surgeons usually have their own idea of what size to use, not sure if you can tell him what to use. I think mine was a 32. He said that's what they've had the optimal weight loss with.

I have that too, but doc said that is where biggest incision and stomach was taken out, so it is more sore than anywhere else. That is the only place I have pain left.

I'm so sorry no one else has responded. If I were you, I would post again cuz I think a whole new group of people would see it.

Thanks - I'm in my 3rd week and in pureed phase, but I've been struggling with everything and I can't eat enough to get a good amount of protein through food which is bumming me out. I think I just need to relax and keep trying to do the best I can.

shrinkinmama - how much can you eat of these things at one time?

Hi Brooke and welcome to the site. It's awesome here. Can answer any question you have! good luck.

pookey - it's Torani syrup. They come in sugar free versions and can flavor all kinds of things. I haven't tried them but I hear they are wonderful.

Did you have a hiatal hernia? I had spasms like what you described, but I thought it was from the hernia repair. They eventually got further and further apart and then stopped. I'm glad you put a call in to your nurse. Call her back if you don't hear because you should be advised by them what to do. Oh, and a heating pad really helped me. Sorry this is happening to you. Good luck

You look radiantly happy in your picture! Congrats on your weight loss too.

ditto - my blog is simply to have a journal of the 1st year. I want to be able to look back and see how it all evolved. And if it helps anyone else, that's awesome! I post questions, etc., to the forums almost every day too.

Please tell me how you are getting/got in your protein and fluids at 2 wks postop. Yesterday, I was to start purees but that's turning me off. I tried some tuna - gagged. I tried an egg - after 2 bites I was full. Cottage cheese did not sit well. In the grocery store, just looking at some foods is enough to make me gag. It seemed so easy the first week. The second week was a lot harder, and now the start of the third week, I feel like I'm in trouble. All the protein drinks are turning me off bad. Water still goes down the best. Food fills me up so fast after just a couple teaspoons, how can that even count for a good amount of protein? I would really like to get more protein from food so I don't have to drink those shakes. This morning I tried some greek yogurt which was 12 gm prot for 5.3 oz. I thought great, I'll eat this and have 12 gm done. I ate half and was full. So that was only 6 gm. So I tried to supplement with a protein drink, got in approx half for 11.5 gm. Total of 17.5. My goal for the day is 70 gm protein. I will sip water now, and will have to force other things on myself the rest of the day. Also, anything that sounds good, like tomato soup which I really enjoyed that 1/4 cup for a couple days last week, now it can gag me to think about. And that's the way it's been going - things that I do like for a couple days suddenly are gross. Any tips, suggestions, advice for me? Thanks