KirstyKirst81

@@cocoa8utter - Keep an eye on what you're going through and write it down in a journal so you can remember things you might forget, if you need to talk to your medical team. Are you getting enough Protein and Water? I know I'm always asking that, but it's the first thing that comes to mind all the time above all else. @@James Marusek brings up a great point on meds adjustments. @@Daniellewi - I had severe pain for about 20 minutes when I ate too fast. Although I chewed well, my bites were still too big (it was just eggplant BUT it had some breadcrumbs on the outside) and I ended up vomiting, but not from dumping. Still no dumping thankfully (but not thankfully - you know!) It was a weird experience. I've been doing amazingly well with protein, with only yesterday missing my mark by 12 grams because I was careless and didn't check my food log before getting ready for bed (where I could have had a small Protein shake and met my goal...) At first I relied heavily on Protein shakes, sometimes one shake with 2 scoops of powder instead of 1. I've been working hard at trying to not rely on shakes, or only having 1 a day rather than each meal. It's really difficult right now, being on soft food stage and getting sick of foods but not having much of a choice in food either. On 1/1/16 I can go to solid foods, but will still use a lot of soft foods. (My intention, anyhow!) You might have to drink more shakes in the time-being until you can get more foods in. A lot of times I have to force myself to eat something and I don't have any appetite either, so it's been a struggle, but a manageable one. You can do it!

I sent you a message You came home after only 1 night in the hospital too?! How are you doing these days? Still on puree or on to soft foods?

@@ShrinkingButtercup - Great job on getting your protein and water in! You only had one night in the hospital?! I'm glad you're doing well!

@@ashleyt226 I'm sending you a PM in a few minutes

@@talkingmountain It's for the first day or two in the hospital (Biotene) but in all honesty, I didn't use mine after all.

@@cocoa8utter Thanks! Good luck TODAY with your surgery! I hope you have a great recovery so you can go back to work in 2 weeks. That seems so short to me!

@@thatcaniacgirl - Awesome!!!!!!

@@ShrinkingButtercup It's COMPLETELY normal, what you're feeling about surgery. How are you doing these days?

Hey! I use SparkPeople.com. Did you find something to use yet?

Thank you everyone for your well-wishes! I'm catching up on blogging so y'all can read the deets! getkirstybodied.wordpress.com

@@cocoa8utter I had a "food funeral" for about a month and a half but amazingly I didn't gain or lose weight. I think it's because I kind of starved myself and binged on all the sh** I knew I'd miss. Horrible pattern, I know, but it's over now!!! @@DeezJeanz Best wishes on your surgery today!!!!!!!!! I hope you have good pain meds and get some great rest! Don't forget to walk when they allow you to.

@@cocoa8utter Welcome! What a great Christmas present @ I hope you get the decision soon!! The anticipation is the worst. @@cookarue I got permission to eat some at Thanksgiving during my liquid pre-op, but it's a slippery slope for me and I ate the next day and a bit the next... Really bad - I have poor self control with food but yesterday and today have been Clear liquids and I've been good. Ready for surgery tomorrow!

If anyone is interested, there is a December 2015 support group on Facebook. I'm not the founder or an admin, but we have a great group of people right now. The group is "closed" or maybe "secret" but just message me here and I'll send you the link if you like.

@@mbreutter28 Welcome! Excited or nervous? @@DeezJeanz I probably missed that tidbit of info, not you! I'm glad you're able to get the best procedure now!

PERSONAL HYGIENE & MEDICAL Chapstick Lotion Toothbrush & Toothpaste Mouthwash & Biotene (moisturizing mouth rinse) Gas-X (anti-gas medicine in dissolvable tongue strips) Shampoo & Conditioner (maybe the no-water/rinse shampoo) Bodywash Facewash Deoderant Hairbrush & Hairties (“elastics”) Feminine hygiene pads just in case Flushable wipes just in case All medicines, multi-vitamins for post-surgery and other supplements Sugar-free throat lozenges or vitamin C drops Tweezers & small mirror Nose spray CLOTHING Loose, comfortable clothing including front-zipping sports bra Slipper socks with tread – maybe skip, hospital should have this Warm slippers Jandals (flip flops) to wear in the shower Photo clothing for photos the night before surgery ELECTRONICS iPad and or MacBook & chargers Headphones iPhone charger Power strip/surge protector OTHER Pillow for hospital Throw blanket for hospital – maybe skip, but might be nice for car ride back home (I’m always cold now before losing weight) Eye mask Water for the ride home Drinks & snacks for my hubby My favorite drinking water bottle Notebook for while messages left while I’m sleeping (doubt I’ll need) Airborne room-deodorizing spray Peppermint decaf tea and mug Back brace for possible stomach support Heating pad FitBit Aria digital scale to weigh myself the morning of surgery plus the day released (we’ve decided to stay one more night up in Brugge/Bruges after release and I want to still capture my weight accurately according to the scale I use)