BLERDgirl

Sorry you are having a tough time. I am hypersensitive and I break out even when they use the latex free stuff on me. I always end up blowing veins and needing PICC lines as well. It seems like such a small thing but the itch just drives you crazy. Welcome to the forums! Hopefully they'll get you patched back up and about in no time.

It's perfectly normal to be a little nervous. However if you really know in your heart of hearts this is the only way then take the plunge. The post-op dieting, especially in those early days is not fun, but is completely doable. Pain is not a guarantee. I had NONE. You will be able to eat your favorite foods again, you'll just eat them in smaller portions. Best of all you'll get the chance to live a healthier life. I honestly wish I had done this 10 years ago.

It wasn't an allergic reaction. She just required an higher does than normal.

That is excellent! You're almost at 60 gms of Protein and over for fluids with the shakes and Water combined! Get to walking even if it's just a few slow steps.

Yep sounds like gas or acid. You can try something like omeprazole or gas-x strips. Walking may also help if it's just gas.

It's barely been a week. Relax. You tummy is brand new and still healing. You've just joined the sip, sip club. The goal is to gradually build up to getting at least 60 gms of Protein and 64 ounces of Fluid. Those first 2 weeks you won't get anywhere near that. Sip. all day long just sip. Protein first then fluids. I found it easier to add a little Water to my Protein shakes and drink them over ice. That way I got some water along with my protein. Late on you'll need to separate your fluids from your food with a 30 minute window on each side. If you haven't had a BM, call your doctor, they can prescribe a stool softener or something like colace, benefiber or miralax. Do not go anywhere near the scale. It will make you insane.

I worked in an ER. We used versed a lot. I've also been treated with propofol.

Call you nutritionist. They should have provided you with a list or handouts. What stage are you at purees? soft foods? Call your team, that's what that hefty insurance payment was for.

Yes I think the entire container of coconut Water is fine. Also citrus fruits do need the peel and pith (the white part) removed as that goes bitter really fast.

Stay away from the scale. It will make you crazy. Also you don't need to do strenuous exercise, but you need to exercise consistently. A 30 minute walk each day is just as beneficial.

I've had propofol and as I was reading your story I was wondering why they used versed and not propofol. Glad it's over and you made it through.

I would review all of these questions with your nutritionist since every program has it own set of protocols. Here are my responses. 1. coffee? Do many people continue to drink coffee post-op? If so, do you still use creamer, or just milk? I am not a daily coffee drinker. I was told early on not caffeinated drinks since is can cause acid in the stomach. I drank decaf until week four and then I started having coffee on occasion but only in small doses. Instead of cream I used a vanilla RTD Protein drink or almond milk. I still only have coffee on occasion. 2. Smoothies/juicing? How early were you able to make a smoothie with frozen fruit? Or have juice using a juicer? I used to have these after my morning workouts and really enjoyed them. I would get them with veggies and a couple fruits. I have a juicer and a nutra bullet. I rarely juice because all you get are the concentrated sugars in liquid form as the Fiber and nutrients it contains get tossed with the pulp. Hence I would only occasionally juice then freeze the juice into ice cube to add to smoothies made in my nutrabullet. I use my nutrabullet almost daily.I have used it since I was discharged. I would mix my powdered Protein shakes in them. It was helpful to get my Protein Drink mixed smoothly. Early on I added almond butter, chopped spinach and fruit to them. I watch the fruit sugars & use unsweetened fresh fruit. Smoothies have been my got to Breakfast for several years now. I take a 9 am Water aerobics class 4 -5 days a week and I don't like working out on an empty stomach but can't eat a heavy meal pre-workout. By the time I add my greek yogurt to my Protein shake I get 30-38gms of protein in one shot. 3. Drinking out of straws? Does most people drink out of straws with no problem? Or is it really best to avoid them? My nutritionist advised against them, especially early on. You suck in too much air and that can cause gas in the tummy. There's just not enough space in your belly to have it filled with gas. 4. Caffeine? Stay away forever? I don't know if I can do that...at least some tea every now and then. I don't think it's forever, just those early days when there is a tendency to have acid and/or reflux. Again, you should review these questions with your nutritionist since they are the ones managing your care.

@@Kindle - You live in a state that refused to accept the medicaid exemptions, huh? I have friends just one state over in the same predicament.

My advice is don't obsess over the weight. The scale is not your friend. Focus on eating healthy, getting your proteins and fluids in and finding some form of physical activity to do for 30 minutes each day. I only weigh myself once a t month at the doctors office. If I had a 3 week stall I was blissfully unaware. I am 4 mths out and every appointment has shown a loss.

That's probably at least 6 weeks down the road. It's not something I eat so I haven't had any trail mix. I eat nuts on occasion but I'm sure I didn't start until I was cleared to eat as tolerated.

Everyone has a different experience. I had no pain. Not even anything I could even remotely call pain. I didn't use the pain pump in the hospital or need any narcotics to manage pain. It felt like I had done a vigorous workout the day before. No gas pain, no constipation, no nausea, no dizzyness, no spasms, nothing. Mind you I was exercising 3 times a week pre-op so maybe my core strength helped. I was walking in recovery. I was able to drink in the hospital and have not had any trouble with any foods I've tried so far. The drain felt odd, but wasn't what I would consider painful. I just felt the tubing running through my body. I didn't even bother getting the prescription for pains meds filled when I was discharged.

Food stopped being my friend s my allergies got worse. Once the food you eat puts your in a 4 day coma it stops being your friend. I was not scared of this surgery, I welcomed the chance to put my allergies into remission.

I don't know models or number but I like the short one for home use. I don't want the newest one they have that's just a fancy smoothie maker.

YES! Especially if you want to learn to cook from scratch. Do the easy pay options on QVC. Like @blondiebabs it's just me and the cat, but I have a kitechenaide mixer, a juicer, a kitchenaide food processor and a nutra bullet. As soon as I can swing the funds I'll be getting a vitamix. I cook mostly from scratch and it has changed my life and improved my health.

@@nprcowboy Block whoever sent you that message and keep it moving. You don't owe anyone here a darn thing, much less an apology. You do what you need to heal and tend to your wife.

@@trulyamazingtoo - If I can do it as a vegetarian anyone can do it. You can make chicken and beef a million different ways.

A question for the other posters; Legally could the OP drop her employers coverage and purchase insurance on the exchange?To piggyback on what @@MissMac suggested. Try to decrease the amount processed foods you buy. The fewer items that come in a box or a bag, the better. For example Hamburger Helper might be more convenient but buying your own macaroni, cheese & ground beef and seasoning yourself will save you a load of sodium.

It may be because it's new. They likely cover the bypass. Have them send you their policy in writing. Find out specifically what type of weight loss assistance they do provide whether it's dietitian classes and a medically supervised diet or what. Exhaust every possibility before giving up. You may have to actually submit a request and get denied then go through appeals. Never accept the first "No" as final

It might not be an option.The doc would have to carefully word his op. notes to justify the procedure and it might still get rejected by insurance. I wouldn't put the cart before the horse. Wait until you receive response from the insurance company and exhaust all appeal for what you do want before looking at alternatives.

@@aclinton16 - Yes plain greek yogurt instead of mayo. I am partial to FAGE 0% greek yogurt and use it instead of mayo. You can't taste the difference and you get bit more protein. I don't buy flavored yogurts. I am hypersensitive to food additives such as artificial dyes and fake sugars so I prefer to buy the plain and add my own fruit.