unbesleevable1

My surgeon's office sells and recommends them. They weren't terrible tasting, but yes, very expensive. I found a Protein powder mix at Vitamin shoppe that actually tasted better and was lower in sugar and carbs. I totally agree with you!

I am about 9 days post op and can drink fluids fairly normally. It does take longer to get the recommended 64 fl oz in per day, but I get pretty close. As for the hot dog issue, I can't speak to the bread thing, but I know a lot of ppl can tolerate bread, but we are cautioned from eating carbs habitually. I am sure that you would be able to have a couple bites of a hot dog, but probably could not eat a whole one. As far as dealing with people close to you and their reactions to the surgery.... you are going to hear everything from keeping it a secret to telling whoever asks. Once I was secure in my decision, it didn't matter what anyone said or thought about it. If they wanted to say anything negative, I would say, 'thanks for sharing,' or 'i appreciate your input', and that was it. I had no real opponents but I had some people who were pretty surprised. No real negative static, especially once this bus was really rolling. You gotta do what you feel is right for you. It's your journey and your stomach. Good luck.

I am about 9 days post op, and I do get hungry as well. I feel like I eat all the time, but when I track it, I'm only taking in about 500 cal. What works for me is eating every couple hours, and sipping on Protein in between. I keep comparing it to having a newborn baby.

Those are targeted ads, yeah the other poster is correct. They show what has been searched for on your computer.

Amazing that you are coherent enough to post. I was begging for water between nods, and generally being a dlck. Congratulations, get a lot of rest.

I think I would have been cool to go back to work this week too. I'm glad to have the extra time off, though. My next surgeon appt is the 19th, so about 2 weeks and 2 days out. I am not confused at all about hunger. It is very clear to me. It is a lot like a newborn baby. I get hungry every 2 hours or so, eat or drink, and am happy for a while.

I am 1 week out today, and I feel pretty good. I feel I could do pretty much anything I could before. The thing is, you just don't know until you personally experience it. Give yourself more than enough time to recover, and take all the help offered to you.

Me too, Sooner, have lost about 9 lbs since surgery a week ago. My tummy is hungry frequently, but is easily satisfied. I'm getting the hang of it! Can't wait to be able to put some more substantial food in there! I'm looking forward to some mashed potatoes! That sounds so good!!! What are you going to eat first when you can go to purees? I am really craving meat, also! I am so happy I did this!!!!!!

I found mind at Vitamin Shoppe. There's a nice one on Bristol in Santa Ana, but they are all around.

Hi Bob, what surgeon/ hospital? I'm in OC too and was sleeved 11/4 by Dr Leport at Orange Coast. I existed on the OH YEAH chocolate milkshake protein powder. I didn't like the New Directions proteins the office sells, but you might try those. I found the absolute essential part of surviving that pre op nightmare was finding a protein that I actually looked forward to having. Anyway, I hope you find one you like and hang in there. LMK if you have any questions or want to talk. Amanda

If you have the choice, you should definitely freak. Just kidding. Are the wounds holding together? If so, its fine. They usually don't want you to reinforce or add any more tape. Obviously, if something is gaping open that wasn't before, please commence with the freaking out.

I am the poster child for herbalife Protein drink mix. The mango peach is so good and has 15 gm protein for 2 scoops. I sip it all day and meet my protein and Fluid goals. It has a more crystal lite texture, not a thick texture at all. I order it on amazon and have gone through about a tub a week since my surgery.

Herbalife's Protein drink mix has saved me post op. (I'm almost a week out) They make a mix that is kinda like crystal lite, but has protein. It's pretty yummy and i sip on it all day. That way I can get my protein and Fluid goals at the same time. I order it from amazon, so I don't have to deal with any herbalife kooks.

yep, just take it slow. Its something with how we swallow, and how much air is swallowed as well. (That's my take, anyway) Try to sit up straight when you're sipping, that seems to help me. And try to wait 5 min or so between sips.

4 weeks pre op is pretty insane. I did 3 weeks and it was like an exorcism. Since there is no way for them to tell that your liver has shrunk until they get in there, the surgeon is not basing the decision on that reason. A lot of doctors dont require a pre op at all, some require 3 days Clear liquids, some require 2 weeks of low carb, some want 3 or more weeks of liquid Protein. I think it is cruel and unusual. There is no supporting research showing a pre op diet contributes to less post op complications or problems. It is purely anecdotal. Part of the problem is this surgery is just now becoming standardized, after being considered experimental, or part 1 of a two part surgery for so long. I don't know what I would do if I were you. I barely survived the pre op diet and other people around me definitely suffered the consequences as well. It was definitely harder than the surgery. I guess I would make my case for going with the original date. Maybe your surgeon would work with you on a 'break' from the liquids if you did low carb/ no carb for a while. I donno, but it makes me mad. Good luck to you.

I think a lot of us are not fully aware of our addiction issues with food. I used food to change the way I feel. Turning to something on the outside to change the way I feel inside. I have been dealing with my addictions successfully for a few years now, and I am finally tackling food (the final frontier). It is usually something we need outside help with, whether it's counseling, or a 12 step program. I attend 12 step programs for my addiction issues, and I think it is one of the major aspects that has helped me succeed. I think surgeons and WLS centers hurry us along sometimes, and don't address this giant aspect. This is why a lot of WLS patients turn to drinking (or other myriad cross addictions). Not one time in my 2 months of pre op education was addiction to food or other substances addressed. Nor was post op depression. I think that's scary, and I try to bring it up in my support group as often as it is appropriate. Please know what you're feeling is normal, and you should have been prepared by your surgeon's team. I'm very sorry that you were blind-sided by this fairly common experience.

Me too, Chris, it's like having a new baby at home. I think I'm going to bed, Tommy the Tummy decides he's hungry. Whaaaaaaa! He doesnt eat a lot, but when he's hungry, he makes it very clear. Did you name yours yet?

In what size(s)?

How fresh post op are you? Your urine will smell like medicine/ antibiotics for a little while, while any meds they gave you clear out of your body. It shouldn't last too long, and is perfectly normal.

Calories too high. Gotta get back to under 1200 or so.

i cheated 3 times on my pre op. I caught hell about it from people on this site. I did the best I could. I had my surgery on Monday and it went fine. I survived. Do your best.

I was sleeved Monday 11/4 and I feel pretty damn good. My incisions don't hurt. I just feel kind of 'wrong' inside, but it's not painful. I had a bad headache since the nite of surgery, but have felt pretty good since this morning. Especially after getting home and being in my own home.

Hi Novembers! I was sleeved on the 4th and am doing great. It was easier than the pre op diet, but had its own challenges. The day of, I don't remember much. The next day was worse, lots of abdominal pain, especially getting up and moving around. Moving around also made me pretty nauseated. they gave me a lot of meds for nausea which helped. I think it was the pca morphine pump that contributed to the nausea. Since I've been off the meds, I've felt better. Ive got timers going for walking and sipping. Welcome to my new timed life, at least for a little while. #SkinnyArmy!

Nope. If there's no way to change insurance, there's nothing you can do win a WLS exclusion. The solution most people do is self pay, either in Mexico, or somewhere else. You could also do care credit.

it was the hardest thing ive ever gone through. Food is so essential! I learned to split my shakes up evenly throughout the day and drink them slow. Also cannot stress how important it is to find one you really like. I know, none of it helps. I cheated a couple times, and caught hell around these parts. Oh well, do the best you can. It's hard, but you can do it.