Mrs.RRn

Earlier today my husband ran into a good friend of mine. Not BFF, but a close friend. This is how the conversation went:

Her: So how's she feeling?

Him: oh she's doing real good. She lost a few lbs, been exercising, and no complications- real good.

Her: SO DOES SHE REGRET THIS YET?

Ummm..... WTH!?!

But on a happy note-- I retired my first pair of jeans today.

On the day of surgery, you wouldn't say " I'm 1 day postop" ... The following day is 1 day post op.

My surgeon was happy with Flintstones Complete- 2 a day, taken at different times of the day. Calcium twice a day. And I just started taking Vitamin B12 per his recommendation as well.

I have my RX in front of me to go for my Post op labs..I will list what it says for you..It does say fasting is required...* Prealbumin, Serum * CBS w/diff & Plt * Zinc * Comp Metabolic profile * PTH, intact & calicum * TIBC * Vit D, 25 hydroxy * Vit B12, Serum * Vitamin A * Folate, serum * Vit B1 plasma * Hemoglobin A1C * Lipid panel * Calcium Ionized * LFT (liver function test)....Dont' know what everything on here is, but this is what my prescription says..hope this helps..

Thanks so much for sharing that!!

Surgeon runs all blood work every 3 months. Mostly all Vitamin levels plus CBC and things PCP usually runs. The vit levels were never checked by my PCP. This is how I found out I was anemic the last time.

That's why I want to make sure my PCP orders everything I need. I love my doctor, but I know she's not a specialist in wls. I don't want to miss something like that.

I'll be visiting my PCP soon, and I want to know what kind of lab work did you guys have post- op. My surgeon won't be following these things, so I want to be sure I don't miss anything.

I'll be having my yearly thyroid level checked, but other than that, what should I suggest?

Thanks you guys!

Did you try light compression garments?- might not sound fun, but it could help.

I've been having the same dizziness, and I was having poor concentration. My doc suggested B12, and its working for me!

And def try to get in all that liquid!!

Good luck!

I chose Dr. Borland in Louisiana as well. $9800 cash pay.

Ok, y'all are making me feel like a cow. Lol

Last week my Dr said to aim for cupcake-sized portions. And I'm like, "Did you REALLY just say cupcake in front of me?!" LOL..... I don't think I'm anywhere near cupcake- sized portions, but I'm happy with the amount I can eat. For dinner I usually serve myself 3 oz but eat two. But I still have a mental issue leaving food on my plate- I do it, but it bothers me. I def have Clean-Plate Syndrome!

Impressive, I can't even finish an ounce!

I eat VERY slowly. Lol

Breakfast- 2-3 oz (usually 2) of Greek yogurt or cottage cheese, or an egg (I like scrambling an egg with a laughing cow wedge), or cream of wheat.

Lunch- Protein shake

Dinner- 2-3 oz of fish, shrimp, or ground turkey. Last night I had 2oz of crab meat. Yum! (I live in south Louisiana and I literally get to buy seafood off the boat- it's amazing). And I usually put a small bite of veggies on my plate. It's hard to get to the veggies at this point.. Just concentrating on the Protein.

Sometimes a snack- usually 2-3 oz Greek yogurt if I haven't had it for Breakfast.

I couldn't have that thicker stuff until week 3. My surgeon said it had to run off a spoon easily.

My doc suggested to start trying grapes, but my sleeve didn't like it-- even peeled with no seeds. I'll revisit the grape idea in a couple months.

This is mine. Love it!

This is COMPLETLY NORMAL at this time. Just keep doing what you're doing! Sounds like you're doing it right.

Everyone's plan is very different. If the docs aren't giving you a plan, you def need to be conservative/ safe with your choices. Maybe bring a diet to your Vermont doc and ask his opinions instead of asking him to give you a diet. ??

Here was mine:

Week 1- Clear Liquids only (sugar free)- Water, sf Popsicles, sf Jello, Powerade or Gatorade zero, broth

Week 2- thicker liquids- creamy Soups, v8, Protein shakes

Week3- soft diet- tuna salad, chicken salad, yogurt, sf pudding

Week 4 - slowly introduce more solid food starting with fish and very moist meats.

Hope this helps you.

My doctor eventually wants me to replace Protein Shakes with Protein Bars (which I'm not happy about, bc I'm quite comfortable w/ my shakes). But if I have a shake for a meal, I'd assume a Protein Bar would be a meal as well. ??

I'm surgeon recommends 3 meals a day. One of these meals is a Protein Shake. He says if you absolutely must, you may have a snack. It's so interesting how surgeons differ so much!

Well, congrats on your upcoming surgery!

Everyone's Drs are very different, so everyones diets are different. My diet was week 1- Clear liquids, sugar free -- week 2 - thick liquids: cream Soups, Protein shakes, v8..

What's your Dr's orders for you??

Besides being off your pain meds, you should also be able to turn completely at the waist w/o pain.

Sounds like you're doing fantastic! Congratulations!

I went out and bought some cottage cheese.. Had a little with lunch. It's delicious. Kinda reminds me of mozzarella.

Ok, I need to know- what does cottage cheese taste like? I want to try it bc of the high Protein, but I'd feel bad to buy it, not like it, and trow it away. I do like yogurt, sour cream, Greek yogurt, things like that.. But I've never been brave enough to try cottage cheese.