ready2smile

Congrats to you! It's an exciting feeling isn't it. keep up the positivity and join any group here that you think will be helpful to you. This is a great place to be for support and guidance.

Thank you everyone for updating the list as it increases, you all are awesome!

I am so sorry, just isn't fair after all the hard work we go through-but you're strong and you will get through this. Praying everything turns out to be "nothing" and you're on your way back to a healthy you very soon!

Sorry you're going through all this, we're here to support you any way we can. Feel free to message me if you like. This surgery sure isn't for sissies, which is why I think it takes so long for us to go through the process of getting it. You're stronger than you think you are. There are different issues for different people, i don't think its easy for anyone but am quite positive it IS harder for some (both pre-op and post-op). I think we all regret it for at least a moment or two if we're honest with ourselves. It's a HUGE lifestyle change that's scary and seems very daunting. There will be even more challenges when you get outside the hospital, but you're being prepared for them now and as your body heals, you will be happier about the choice you made. You worked so hard to get to this, soon you will turn the corner from problems to productive and start enjoying the new you-you just have an extra few hurdles to jump over before going home. Obviously your medical team has your best interests at heart and its ok to lean on them, to stay longer while you heal (using your pain meds as much as you need and are allowed) and get a handle on things. We believe in you. Be proud of yourself, look forward and not backward-and even when you don't think so, YOU GOT THiS!

I'm not quite a week out but I've had a few surprises already: •Giving myself the levonox shots isn't so bad. •It's hard to get the Water, Protein and meds in. •I still feel bloated/swollen from the gas, painful. •The head hunger-that I still "want" to eat and drink all the things I did before-it was like pulling teeth to get my hubby to drink or eat after his surgery. •That I would panic not knowing what to eat other than what I had at the hospital (water broth and sf jello). •Seemed like I was taking in too many "sweet" things such as the Protein drinks, Jello, pudding, etc. and not hating it. I wanted my taste for sweets to GO AWAY!! •that I didn't get migraines from lack of caffeine. •That after all these years I would feel so confused about food.

So proud of all of you! Sounds like you're doing great, just sore from gas, incisions and concerned about intake-that's me too! Let your own body be your guide, but walking, sitting up and sipping will be your best bet. I'm on day 6 and still have a little pain from my 6 incision sites (port incision is the worst) and now only take a half dose of my pain meds 1x a day. You are not a wimp if you need these at home, just know that the longer you use the pain meds the longer it may take to get regular. I still get dry mouth, very important to keep some water with you at all times, (even by your bed at night so you don't have to worry about getting up once you've settled in). Put it in something small, it may feel like a ton of bricks for a day or two, lol. Be prepared for the head hunger you may experience, I'm still dealing with it but not as much. I think its worse for those that didn't have to do a pre-op liquid diet. I wasn't able to get in all my water and protein, still can't, but you will slowly build up tolerance-just don't focus so much on the timing. Sip as you can, drinking water is the best for you. Like Gen, sf Popsicles are great for dry mouth, so is Chapstick, ice chips and sipping your water. Depending if you're on clears or liquids, you'll have a different range of choices-don't be afraid to ask any of us for ideas or how we tolerated certain things we ate/drank. We're here for you, as well as in the January 2013 post op forum.

What protein drinks have you all tried that you didn't like the taste of, couldn't keep down, or were told to stay away from? Also, what were the best?

You're welcome! Glad to hear you're doing we'll.

I'm on Liquids. I have been afraid of other soups because of the creaminess-so scared to dump, but I'll get some and maybe thin them out at first to see how we'll I can take them. Thanks for the tip!

Your surgical team may just not mention it. I knew about it because my hb had the surgery 2yrs prior and it was discussed during my final pre-op appointment. I had a drain post-op on the upper right side of my belly along with 5 small stapled incisions. My nurses emptied it every so often; and it was removed about 30minutes before I left the hospital. It was quick, felt weird and uncomfortable but not painful. A big bandage was placed over it, which I changed Sat and Sun. Just keep an eye on it and follow the post-op directions for aftercare.

Anyone have any good ideas for Protein? I'm bored with the clears and still have more than a week to go on them. I've been using the pre-mixed drinks and powder ones, sipping on broth, eating popsicles, taking in some sugar free Jello and watered down pudding. So much of it seems dessert-like, and I want to try to stay away from that as much as possible.

go to the forums tab on the left (that's where it is on my iphone4s) choose what category you want to post in, then click on the arrow to the right. Mine then pops up with choices, "refresh page, new thread, mark as thread, add to favorites, log out, and cancel). Then choose "new thread". From there you can start a new subjuct/topic.

Those couple of hours difference are difficult, but I'm sure by now you've forgotten all about the impromptu change. congrats-welcome to the losers side, we have a spot on the bench just for you!

Did yours change immediately?

I don't think there is anything that turns my stomach yet except for certain smells; I wish there was! Friday my hubby smelled of the fire he made in our fire pit to get rid of misc wood and newspapers, (he & my daughter showered for me but it was in my nose) and then the smell of tacos @ my MIL's house yesterday. I had to go in the back bedroom to avoid it. If my family is cooking, I usually go upstairs to my room.

Thank goodness I did not, but I believe it was probably do the scolopomine patch they gave me pre-op to prevent nausea. It lasts 72 hours. I was prescribed some for home and changed mine today. Is also helpful if the pain meds make you nauseated. If you are worried about this happening to you, by all means discuss it with your nurse in pre-op and then with the anesthesiologist. They will make you as comfortable as possible. :]

I began decaf the week before surgery-it was very hard. I only drank about 1c a day, but I'm a creamer lover. I had tried the sugar free-found it gross. Just bought the fat free for later and hope it will taste better and be ok on my tummy. I had decaf for the 1st time since starting my pre-op liquids on Tuesday. I put a singles packet in my chocolate Protein shake today, it was yummy although I only drank about 4oz. Wish they made the coconut creamer in fat free...

Mine was 1/10, home on Friday 1/11. I hated the phlem as well-hurts coming up and felt like I was about to choke to death on it Saturday. I only have 1 pill to swallow and its tiny, the rest are in shot form, liquid, crushable or chewable (none of them taste good) . I hate putting the actigal in my food. it's gross-trying to only take pain meds sparingly. I'm on liquids, eating a few bites of sugar free Jello, drinking broth-about 4oz, water-as much as possible, Protein shakes-not nearly enough (like 20 grams I think), and lite juice or crystal lite water on occasion. I'm bad at counting but I'm trying to get a better quage my ozs taken in. I was truely praying I'd hate everything, especially sweets, but I don't think I'm that lucky. I'm not hungry, but there are a lot of things I want to eat based on smell or sight. Walked with my daughter at the mall today, there were several smells that appealed to me and I just wanted to leave. Maybe I'm just extra weak today because I overdid it yesterday, but I'M NOT feeling like I've got this yet.

You will do great! Best of luck.