Daisee68

So I had an appt with my GP on Friday (8 days post-op) for a follow up on a med unrelated. (She is not the one that has been walking through this process with me. I did that direct with surgeon's office.) Anyway, she said "Congratulations. You made a very brave choice." I can't decide what I think of that comment and it has been rolling around in my head for 4 days. What do you think? Is it brave as in it is a dangerous choice? Or was it just a sideways compliment for taking a very drastic step towards health? I know she meant it as a compliment; just that "brave" wasn't a word I had associated with this process before. Do you feel "brave" for taking this step?

Just wanted to say that just stinks. So sorry!! Hopefully Aetna will clear you immediately after they receive that documentation.

I confess I did it too. I actually did really well losing weight the first 6 weeks after meeting with surgeon. Then just mediocre the next 2 months. And then the week before my liquid diet, I had several meals I thought I might not have again. Probably 2 a day and then 1 healthy-ish meal. Obviously they don't recommend it, but I think it is very normal.

I have Cigna who requires 3 month diet. On my first appt, they told me probably 5 months from first meeting to surgery. It actually was slightly shorter. First appt with surgeon was Jan. 20; surgery was June 4. I actually could have gone a week or so earlier but I had some work issues I needed to work around. I had insurance approval on May 1 BUT I did all my appts very quickly and stayed on top of everything. Cigna only requiring 3 months diet really helped.

I don't know the reason, but just thought I would weigh in that I had bypass 11 days ago, and so far my tastebuds are exactly the same. The Protein drinks taste the same, Water tastes the same, beef broth, etc. Not sure why it doesn't happen to all....

You will really need to get the info from your surgeon or NUT as they all seem to have different guidelines. If you are just wanting to try and shed some weight and get used to some guidelines, try out some Protein drinks, limit your carbs, make sure you are getting in at least 64 oz of Water, cut back on carbonation and caffeine. Those habits will all come in handy when you do finally start the actual liver shrinking diet.

www.BariatricPantry.com is reasonably priced, fast shipping and has some sample packs.

Re decaf teas, I am also supposed to not drink black tea (oxalate which adds to my kidney stone issue) but I found Republic of Tea that has decaf green tea (which I can have) in lots of flavors. There is a decaf green tea Ginger Peach that is really good http://www.republicoftea.com/ginger-peach-decaf-green-tea-bags/p/V01048 and I also really like the decaf green tea Pomegranate flavor http://www.republicoftea.com/pomegranate-decaf-green-tea/p/V00750. (I make mine by the cup and then pour over ice and add some more Water.) There are others I haven't tried yet and if you can drink black tea, there are loads of decaf choices.

I had a huge Diet Dr Pepper habit (like 4 to 6 a day). I just couldn't give it up until the last few weeks before surgery when I knew it was getting real. I just didn't see why it was necessary so I couldn't commit. The carbonation is the issue post surgery. My understanding is the gas created by the bubbles will stimulate your stomach to make you think you can hold more than you can which eventually leads to eating more which leads to stretching your stomach back out. I will say that I was glad that I stopped the sodas (mostly) a couple of weeks before I went on my pre-op liquid diet. I had a major migraine and it would have really sucked if I had to deal with that at the same time as feeling so crummy from cutting out all the sugar on the liquid diet. So, my advice is cut back if you can - or just wait until you have no choice. For what its worth, I think there are a rare few drs who say carbonation is ok in moderation post-surgery but at minimum you have to wait 3 months. it is still not recommended but allowed in small doses (slippery slope for me, so I plan to still abstain) Re artificial sweeteners, I think they must be pretty ok because the stuff the NUTs recommend all seem to contain these - sugar free pudding, sugar free Jello, Propel Fitness waters flavored, G2, etc. etc. After the surgery, you will find you have very little room for anything other than Protein and Water, so by then, you will just naturally cut back on the unnecessary since you just flat won't have room for it. My advice, start changing I little thing per week now and getting adapted to that habit - such as stop drinking 15 minutes before, during and 30 minutes after a meal or eat protein first and then veggies and then fruit / carbs or just start drinking 64 oz of water every day and if you have room left, you can have a soda. Things like that. the more habits you have changed slowly before, the easier they will be after.

Sorry if this is TMI - anyone else have trouble going enough after surgery? I remember in the hospital that it took quite a while once I went in to the restroom (I didn't have a catheter) and I just sort of figured it was due to the anesthesia. Additionally, I ended up passing a 4mm kidney stone 48 hours after RNY and then another 4mm about 6 days after RNY. I have ongoing kidney stone issues, so that didn't surprise me necessarily but my concern is that I just don't seem to be able to go that much. I am getting in 50ish ounces (including Protein shakes) which I know isn't enough long term, but only drinking 1 oz every 15 minutes makes it tough to drink a lot more. I am 8 days post op now and just able to drink about twice that but still not having a lot of output. My first post-op appt is Tuesday so I can ask then if it is normal. Just thought I would ask if anyone else has had issues or if maybe I need to call my urologist on Monday.

So today I was at Walmart and found Bob's Pickle juice Sport! It is like those Ice Pops and can be frozen or not. It contains 2 oz of just pickle juice. Ahhh.... it hit the spot! Something about the electrolytes I think...

@alilove2631 That is great to hear!! Really hope that happens for me too!!!

I never even knew about a binder..... I'm 1 week post op. Difference today versus yesterday is markedly improved!

I have never craved refried Beans until now! I still have a week of liquids left (only 1 week post-op) but I think refried beans will be my first meal - even if for breakfast!

I'm only 1 week post-op but still on liquids and really haven't lost since coming home from hospital. Did you lose a lot on the liquid diet? I lost 12 pounds in the 1 week pre-op liquids so I am trying to tell myself that my body is just catching up. You are down a total of 42 pounds? That's really good. I'm down 30 total from my first appt in January. Not sure I am of use other than to stay I feel that I am in the same boat and we just need to be patien.

Not very cool of your husband..... The diet lemonade should be fine as long as it is definitely the sugar free one. (Don't let them accidentally give you full sugar drink. That has happened to me on numerous occasions which really stinks since I am a diabetic.)

Not sure what "port thingy" you are talking about? I don't have any kind of ports or drains. I am almost a week out (surgery on June 4), and as long as I am resting, I feel fine. I ventured out yesterday for 1 1/2 hours (just a couple of errands) and I was wiped out when I got home. Planning on 2 weeks here. I can't really imagine going back tomorrow which would be 1 week but everyone is different.

I'm only 6 days out and I was really getting way overfull and nauseas because I was taking too large of sips. I still haven't gotten in 60 oz, but the best I can do is use a medicine cup, set my alarm on my phone for 5 minutes and then every 5 minutes, I drink 1/3rd of the medicine cup. That works out to 1 oz every 15 minutes or 4 oz every 1 hour. It is really the only way I can figure out to keep drinking without it bubbling back up. I am hoping when the swelling goes down, I will be able to drink better without measuring it this way. But at least I am not getting dehydrated - I hope (though I sure don't seem to be going to the lady's room very often).

Great loss!! I had bypass instead of sleeve on June 4 and I am already so done with the Protein powder! I still can't hold very much at a time, so it takes forever to drink one of those nasty drinks (which I thought I enjoyed but 1 1/2 hours in to it, I am more than done!) I have to try to figure out how to make the drinks smaller (i.e. half the scoop or something). To add insult to injury, I got on the scale this morning and hadn't lost anything since surgery. Tomorrow is another day - at least that is what I keep telling myself! Good luck to you!

So sorry you are in so much pain! I can't even begin to imagine what you are going through. Not sure if this would work or not, but what about making your own Protein popsicles with greek yogurt and some Protein powder or the pudding and protein powder? I haven't tried these yet but bought my own popsicle molds in anticipation of doing so. I guess that's not savory though...

Does your surgeon have rights at the new hospital? I did have some changes in pricing when I switched hospitals but I felt more secure at my second choice.

I'm sorry you are having so much trouble! It sounds like kidney stones to me. Maybe follow up with a urologist? I have LOTS of kidney stones (before the surgery) and in fact, passed a 4mm stone less than 48 hours after my surgery (lucky me). Also, the "inconclusive" test doesn't tell you much. I think I would follow up with some specialists.

Hmm. I hadn't heard that. They gave me all the ice chips I wanted in the hospital - still in recovery.

Swanson's broth - Beef, chicken and Mexican Tortilla. It saved me. And lots and lots of Water and tea. This is the hardest part. After the surgery you aren't hungry. If you can get through this, you can get through the post-op diet easily. Good luck!

Good luck! Enjoy the journey!