BBdoodle

I have been getting my Protein drinks from Drugstore.com and they are awesome with returns. I ordered protein shots that were the most discusting thing I ever drank, they tatest like rotten prune juice - seriously they were nasty. I returned them and they gave me full credit. I have only mixed my protein with milk - 2% or fat free milk. You get the extra protein from milk. My Dr. requires a minimum of 64 grams of protein a day. I try to get 75 - 80 grams per day. Why are people saying no milk w/protein shakes ???

I have been using the Isopure Dutch Cholocate. I was on the vanilla first then kind of got sick of that and switched to the cholocate. I make my shakes with 2% milk, I don't like the shakes but I have to have them so I have been tolerating them. You are so right about leaving a residue on you lips - I hate that !!! I just bought a different brand (I forgot its name) I have not tried it yet. I think all the protein drinks are going to taste like crap, some a bit better than others but in general I don't think they are all that tasty!!! I always look for the shake that has the highest protein per spoon full.

LOL.. I remember being afraid to eat regular food, I still am afraid to try new things. I am still eating yogurt, cottage cheese, soups, etc. because I like them, I am 4 months post op.

You have to be real careful with the juices..... usually they have tons of sugar in them.

By the 3rd week I was on modified soft foods like mashed potatoes, soup, etc. very soft - mushy food. Can you have soup? at least you will feel like you are having regular food. Believe me you pouch will tell you if you are eating something you are not suppose to have - LOL

I started drinking ice tea about 4 wks post op. I normally do not drink coffee or hot tea. I only drink cold liquids.

Oh noooo, I hope everything goes OK for you. When you mentioned that your poop was tarry and black, my first thought was that you were still bleeding or bleeding from something. Please don't regret the surgery because you can't turn back. Think positive and you will get over this bump and continue to be healthy. Some of us do have set-backs but it will only make you stronger. Look forward to running around with your kids and having fun... it will be here soon enough for you !!!! Get well soon !!!

It all depends on your doctor and insurance company. For starters, my dr. required lots of testing before hand. I had to get a endoscopy, colonoscopy, sleep study, physic. eval. neutrition eval. and a support letter from my general physician. I started at the end of February 2012 and had surgery April 9th. So basically it took me 2 months from the first doctor visit to surgery. Other insurance companies require a 6 month supervised diet, other testing etc. etc.

You are doing great.... keep up the good work. You got a second chance, now run with it !!!

Murphy's Law !!! LOL

I know... I am a cheese lover as well and some days I can eat it with no problem and other days not!!! It sucks but everything will even out after a while. My sister is 14 months post op and she cannot tolerate red meat anymore. She had dumping syndrom 2x from eating red meat so she has sworn off red meat for ever !!!

To get all your liquids and protein in on a daily basis, I start the second I wake by sip, sip, sip water and usually by the end of the day I drink min. 64 oz. The protein I use about a cup of 2% milk and 2.5 scoops of portein powder and have that as a snack around 10 a.m., again... I sip, sip, sip constantly. I know, its difficult but you have to push to get those numbers down, its very important. Try walking that was my relief. Good luck.. it does get better... I promise !!!

I have never heard of "hospital clearance". If you go for your pre-op. testing at the hospital that is kind of your clearance. The surgeon insures the hospital that all the protocols have been met for surgery, its like the hospital is renting the space/OR out so he can use the facility. Of course the hospital makes $$$ from the insurance.

I had to get a "support" letter from my general physician. He was all for me having surgery but it was his staff that did the writing for him who dragged their feet. I wrote the letter made an appointment and made him sign it in front of me and took it with me. My surgeons surgical coordinators made sure I had all me ducks in a row BEFORE they even submitted everything for insurance approval. I had a check list of everything I needed done before the submit to insurance. I got cleared within a week and a half for surgery. It feels like they make you jump thru hoops to get this surgery - arrrghhhh !!!

My psy. evaluation was totally not what I expected. They just want to make sure you have reasonable expitations of what this surgery is and that it is not the only tool for successful weight loss. It is a combination of surgery, proper nutrition, and exercise. I asked my psy. evaluator what do they look for to deny people. She said she denied one woman who came in with her hubby who was in total control of her and she was not doing it for her but she was doing it for him and she denied her. She also told me of a boy that was 16 who was very overweight who came in with his mother, his mom was calling him fat and lazy etc., she said the poor kid just sat there. She denied him the surgery as well because he was there for his mom and not for him self. Each evaluator is different but in general they are looking for YOU having a total understanding of nutrition and expitations of the surgery.

I had dimples that are slowly going away. I am 4 months post op. As your stomach shrinks so will your dimples.

I am expierencing the same thing.... my taste has really changed. The foods I loved pre surgery I totally hate now, even the smell of food can make me yack at times - LOL

I had my RNY 4/9 and gall bladder removal 6/26, I too have pains but on my left side where the larger incision is. It sounds like you could have a muscle pull. I would call you doctor... that is what YOU pay him for - right !!!!

I am almost 4 months post op and went thru spells of crying too. They passed and I have not had one in a while. I do think it is a bit of depression... food was our friend ... its like a divorce. I think its all adjustment period. Some people take longer to adjust to the new you and life style than others.

Good luck !!!!

WOW - your boss should be supporting you in the positive way not with food.... Your answer of "oh, I tried that and it made me sick" is a good one. Maybe you should explain that he/she is really not supporting but hindering you?

my surgeon requires you to quit smoking 2 weeks before surgery. I did exactly as he asked and quit smoking. I also had pre-cancer cells in my stomach when I had my endoscopy done. Those cells are the likely result of smoking and can reverse them selves if I quit. I have been smoke free for almost 4 months now - wooohooo best thing I ever done !!!

I am 13 wks post op and terrified of losing my hair. I was told by my doctor if you keep up with your protein and supplements you will not lose your hair. I take minimum of 80 grms. of protein, multiple vitiman, iron, botin, B12, tons of calcium. Has anyone lost hair if so when did it start and did you maintain your protien and still loose?

Could you possibly have a fever? Call your doctor, that is what your are paying him for. My doctors office has a nurse practitioner who answers lots of questions which is a big help. Don't suffer another night there could be something wrong... call your doctor.

When you wake you are going to be in pain/uncomfortable. I was on a morphine pump, I hit that button all the time to dispense meds. As someone said above, rest today and tomorrow walk-walk-walk-walk. And when they give you the OK to drink water, sip-sip-sip-sip. Its going to hurt when you use your stomach muscels to sit up or to get out of bed. The nurses are going to have you up and moving ASAP. Walking make you feel better plus it helps get rid of the gas.