FLUFFYMOM

Well about fed up with this stricture. It has closed off yet again, so they admitted me to the hospital today. Tomorrow they're going to try and put a stent in my esophagus to hold it open. I'm hoping this is the answer. Happy 4th of July everyone!

That really sucks. Sorry to hear your in the hospital again, especially on a holiday. But good luck, hope this fixes the problem.

So I'm still in the liquid phase. Only allowed Protein Shakes and Clear Liquids. My goal is 2 oz Protein every hour and 4 to 6 oz of hydration liquid every hour. Hydration is not a problem but I really hate the protein. That goal of 50 grams of protein seems impossible sometimes.

Yesterday and today I've been experimenting with adding Protein Powder to the premix shakes to increase the protein content. Then I measure it out in little shot glasses and stick them in the freezer. Easier to tolerate as ice cream and the protein content is so high it only soft freezes. I also eat it with a baby spoon so I don't eat it too fast.

Doing it this way I can cram up to 6 grams of protein into a 2 oz shot. Then I just stagger the hours I eat the protein. On the off hours I get in 6 oz of clear liquids easy and on the hour I take the protein I get in the 4 oz of clear liquids in addition to the protein shot. I got in a total of 49 grams yesterday and 55 grams today! I feel good and my energy level is picking up

Just thought I would share, maybe this will help someone else who is struggling to get the protein in.

I was supposed to be at Duke Raleigh, but my insurance insisted on my surgery being done at Durham Regional. Who was your doctor? I had Dr. Sudan.

Dr Sudan was my doctor too! Small world.

Getting all the local girls together sometime sounds like fun. I'm probably the farthest away though. I actually live almost an hour north of Raleigh.

It would have been closer for me to have the surgery in Durham Regional, but I like Duke Raleigh's facility better and insurance didn't care as long as it was a Duke facility.

Came out of surgery around noon yesterday, but I don't actually remember anything until about 4pm. Woke up sore and disoriented with a dilaudid pca pump. I've been up and walking 4 times since then and walking really does help. Most annoying thing is the mouth and throat dryness. My voice is really strained and hoarse from the intubation. Some nausea mostly after walking, but its not too bad. I even refused phenergan yesterday and opted to wait 2 hours until I could have more zofran. Phenergan just makes me feel like a zombie, I hate the stuff. Burping some, but no poots yet. Still dealing with the foley, cant wait for them to take it out in the morning.

Nursing staff here at Duke Raleigh is wonderful. Everyone has been very nice, professional and caring.

On my way to hospital. Surgery scheduled for 7:15. Prayers appreciated. See you guys on the losers bench.

Surgery tomorrow. Started my Mag Citrate cleanse. Man, that is some nasty tasting stuff. Now just hanging out waiting for the explosion. LOL. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone who is a head of me in this journey.

Finishing up my last shift before surgery on Friday morning. I'm suppose to be at the hospital at 5:45 in the morning. I'm excited. Got over the nervousness last week. Now just ready to get it done and move to the losers bench.

I just left the hospital. I feel pretty good. A lot of gas still in me. My Dr said everything went great. He sent me a prescription for prilosec he told me I have to take this faithfully. Is this true anyone out there told the same?

Yep. My surgeon requires antacid meds for a whole year after surgery to prevent ulcers

I work in robotics at my hospital and the swelling is usually not severe

Oh good. Glad to hear that. I would hate to wake up and look grotesque.

The cool thing is that because it is robot assisted surgery and I have already lost some weight. My doctor is not requiring the usual 2 weeks lived shrink diet that I was anticipating. Just said be sure not to gain weight and do clear liquid and mag citrate day before surgery.

He says the robot assisted surgery is a faster recovery and less pain also lower risk of hernias. So that is good too.

Just found out I'm having robot assisted laparoscopic RNY. Apparently the stand you on your head for the entire procedure because of the robot.

So they tell me I can look forward to swelling around my face and neck. Hmmmm that doesn't sound like fun at all

Sitting in waiting room for first per op appt and class. They didn't give me alot of information about what to expect. Just told me to clear most of my day and part of my day would be spent on class. But today makes it feel real. The day of surgery is getting close. I'm expecting to learn more about my pre op diet today. I'll post about what I learned after I'm done. Good luck and god bless those headed to surgery this week and all those

It sounds like everyone is doing really well. Congratulations to everyone who has been to surgery. And pats on the back to everyone who has done or is doing their pre-op diet. It's not easy, but you guys are doing great. Im dreading it. I hate feeling hungry and I like to chew my food. All liquid is going to be really really hard for me.

Wow, I've been away from the board for a couple of days and I come back to so many people headed into surgery or already recovering. It is a little mind blowing how quickly time passes and how quickly THE DAY sneaks up on you. Especially since all of you have been constantly in my thoughts and prayers.

Reading through all the posts I've missed, I realized that I'm the last on the list of surgery dates (June 28th). Not feeling left behind or anything, just wishing my wait was over too. I'm still stuck in that strange limbo land where it feels like the day will never get here, but at the same time it seems to be startlingly close.

Good Luck to all those going into surgery. My thoughts and prayer are with you all. Lets us know how it goes and we will see you on the losers bench.

You look amazing! Keep it up!

I"m 5'6'' and 36 yrs old. My surgeon says I should get down to about 135 lbs. (that was a little bit lower than my idea of 150 lbs but hey, skinny not just smaller, right?) My starting weight is 297 lbs. Can't remember the last time I weighed 135 lbs I have no idea what size 135 lbs would make me, maybe some of you guys could give me an idea.

I have a relatively small waist with big butt/thighs and hefty boobs. Had a nice hour glass shape when I was younger and smaller. Hoping to see that shape again soon

Have faith and persevere. Losing 3-4 lbs a weeks IS A LOT. If you were just dieting without surgery you would only lose about 1 lb a week. And remember 1 lb a weeks equals 52 lbs a year. So 3 lbs a week is 156 lbs. Melt off is a relative term.

And you are going to have stalls in weight loss, because you body goes into a panic over the rapid weight loss and tries to hold onto it stores as long as possible. Just be strong and stick to the plan. The weight will come off.

I would follow a blog about your journey. Have already read through several blogs when I was making the decision to have the surgery. They were really helpful in knowing what to expect.

Just curious...I see a lot of people on here going from band to bypass. Just wondering was the band not what you guys hoped it would be or was it part of the plan to get to the bypass. I know I've heard people say they had to lose weight to be able to have the bypass done and some people started with the band due to risk factors, but then someone referred to it as the "crap band." Like I said, I'm just curious. I'm having the RNY, I never even considered the lap-band because of the amount of weight I needed to lose.

GREAT RESOURCE! THANKS!

I know that relationships change after having surgery. You change after surgery and not just your body. Your priorities, goals, tastes, and interests all change; not to mention your confidence and sense of self. Relationships only survive such a drastic change if the other person adapts and/or changes too.

One of my husbands biggest fears is that I will lose the weight and my personality would change too. He was very negative about the surgery for quite a while, until I sat him down and told him flat out that I needed his support. I pointed out how difficult this journey was going to be. I told him that I needed him to be there to be my cheer leader and my crutch too.

I made him understand that he has been my best friend for most of my life and that isn't going to change just because I lost weight. At the same time this is a major life change and to survive as a couple he was going to have to change a little too.

I know you are talking about your friend not a spouse but the same rules apply. A major lifestyle change for you will affect her and shes going to have to make some changes too or you will grow apart. Sit down and have an honest talk. Be clear and specific with her about what you are worried about and what you need from her.

An Angry Birds manicure! I would be my son's hero! Awesome!

I am always amazed by the works of art some people can put on nails. You are very talented.

PB2 sounds awesome. Where can you buy that? I've been putting natural Peanut Butter in my smoothies...love it now, but I may hate it after the surgery.

I bought PB2 at Walmart last week, It was on top shelf of the peanut butter section.

I think you will find that the first step is the hardest to make. Get a good surgeon and you will be surprised at how easy the qualification process is. Get excited about the change, stay positive and realistic. We'll be here to help and talk to when you need us. I think we have all had that horrible mirror moment, trust me, we understand. Good luck and let us know how you are doing as you get started.

Thanks Janel123. My surgery is on June 28th. I go in for my pre-op stuff June 13th so I'm guessing that's when the liquid diet will start. My surgeon already told me that everyone (of his patients anyway) has do do at least some of the liquid diet before surgery to shrink their liver.

You can do this. Just hang in there, keep counting down the days til surgery and remember this is just like childbirth. There is an endpoint and what you get when you are done will be totally worth it. You can endure the suffering for a short period of time when the reward is a whole new life.

Please somebody remind me of this when I get to the all liquid diet pre-op phase. :wub:

Also keep in mind, research shows that people who lose weight before the surgery, recover faster with fewer complications and have better overall weight loss results.