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Greetings All, I just wanted to post an update: I am almost 3 weeks out from surgery, and almost back to normal, e.g., back to 60 hour work week, almost on to solid foods, and feeling great! A few reflections: 1.) Buyers remorse - I can honestly say I haven't experienced this. Any challenges sticking to liquid and soft diet have been due to head hunger. Its so nice not being physically hungry all the time. No matter how crappy and tired you may feel after surgery; most everyone one this board says it gets better, and trust me it does! 2.) Sense of smell and taste are starting to move back towards a more normal state. 1 week ago the smell of things made me nauseous, and now its getting better. I can consume Protein shakes, and nausea is gone. Eating omlettes, ground up chicken, turkey, pork with mashed potatoes and wet soft stuffing - yummy. Can't wait to start on soft solids in another 10 days. 3.) Follow doctor and nutritionist advice, but you also have a role. Every patient is different, as is each Doctor.. eating slowly, very small amounts of food, taking Vitamins, and getting moving is very important to how you heal and feel. 4.)Fear of dumping will hopefully keep me honest for quite sometime. I passed on choc cake and donuts at work for the first time ever. I keep thinking about Al Roker at the Whitehouse, and that donut doesn't appeal to me so much. Glad to be on losers side, and hope the fear lasts. 5.) Check weight once per week, try to stay positive, otherwise you will go nuts with ups and downs. Over time eating healthier, smaller quantities of food and getting regular exercise will help you lose weight. My nutritionist and doc suggest regular follow ups with them along with support groups are correlated to keeping weight off in the long term. I dont think this is BS., so I will keep working hard to afford the out of pocket expenses Good luck to all!

I had my 2 week follow up today and doc cleared me to move to pureed food!!! Made homemade mashed potatoes and ground up rotisserie chicken with broth in food processor. Heated them together with a half teaspoon of low fat chicken gravy. I dont think I have ever been happier to eat anything iny life. What a nice treat to be off all liquid diet. Doc dropped me down to 2 Protein shakes instead of 3. This was welcomed as Protein Shakes still taste like dung. Doctor cautioned to make sure I get all my Water in, as dehydration is serious.. Doc also shared sense of smell and taste changes are found in 80 percent of patients. Also started Vitamins today. I am on my way to my new normal !!!

Thanks!

Silly question. How long until I can take communion wafer in church?

Btw stopped pain meds (except at Night to make sure I sleep).

I have a little pain at Top incision and low left and right incisions. I am on Unjury Protein.. I loved it before my surgery, but now it's getting a little chalky post surgery. I have had Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, and plain.

Good luck on your discharge! I am at 9 days out of surgery and I haven't really wanted to eat at all. On full liquid diet and Protein shakes and I am eating on a schedule to help make sure I am getting all Water, protein, and food. If I waited to be stomach hungry I probably wouldn't have eaten yet. Just make sure to sip everything and eat slowly.

Everyone is different, just hang in there! I am 6 days out from surgery, and each day gets better!! Remember you just had major surgery, and you will require time to heal properly. Follow doc's instructions and get your rest. This too will pass. All the best!

Congrats!

Lou, be careful if your pain meds are making you dizzy, you don't want to fall. You will want to check with your doctor, but mine wanted me moving around as much as i could to avoid blood clots and get the plumbing working. The evening after my surgery I was walking around with the nurses assistant. I came home 2 days later and have been walking 4-6 blocks a day. I break it up into chunks but try to push myself a little further each day. Hang in there it gets better each day!

I find that I am resting a lot as well, and i get tired easily. I am walking 4 -5 blocks a day to make sure I keep moving. Hang in there

My temperature has gone up and down since my surgery last Weds. Doctor is only concerned if it goes over 100. I am amazed how much your taste buds change... I loved

Hang in there! I just had surgery on weds. (3rd) and I have reduced pain Meds. to 1/2 pill instead of 2. The pre-op liquid diet was a pain, but it really prepared me for post op. It will be here before you know it, and remember to walk as much as you can as it really helps you to heal. Good luck!

Came through surgery just fine Cant wait to drink something! All the best!

Thanks to everyone for the kind words and well wishes.. All the best!

Hi everyone. I want to thank everyone for their posts they have been very inspiring for me and helpful. My surgery date is finally here and after reading many posts I decided to introduce myself. Male Height 5'7" -Weight before starting process= 297, weight today =277 (after 2 week pre-op diet), goal somewhere between 170-180 along with eliminating CPAP, Hypertension, and GERD. The required weight loss and pre-op diet was very difficult, but I stuck to it religiously. Taking vacation from work for two weeks and hoping I am well enough to return 4-15. Wish me luck. Thank You!