prettyCali916

Hey Arenea! What syntrax are you taking? I have the plain and it is meh too but I think Adina might've had the chocolate truffle and she swears by it. Maybe try that?I have the Caribbean Cooler, it smells great as a powder, but when I mix it with water I can't stand it. It's just weird. So today I bought the Campbell's soup on the go chicken noodle flavor and that worked. I didn't eat the little noodles or carrots although they were very soft, but I did drink the broth. I saw they have chicken tortilla in the drinkable on the go soups too. I saw someone asking, but I'm sure it's not as good as homemade.That's so funny! I bought Campbell's chicken noodle and cooked a whole can, completely drained the broth and had that yesterday. My sweet 16 month old daughter ate most of the noodles, carrots and pieces of chicken. She loved it lol!!! That was the best broth/soup ever!!!! On another note - I am SO over these sickly sweet protein drinks! I am a sweet tooth usually but this is too much! I can't wait for Monday!! I have such great plans for next week involving eggs, Greek yogurt, thick blended soups with chicken! Omg! Grocery shopping on Sunday!

Omg that sounds delicious. Thank you!!!!

Hey Arenea! What syntrax are you taking? I have the plain and it is meh too but I think Adina might've had the chocolate truffle and she swears by it. Maybe try that?

You mean drinking versus eating with a spoon? I've been eating mine with a spoon no problem. Is it swallowing anything? I forgot - did you have a hernia repair? If so try something really warm or freezing like a Popsicle. Plus you should've been prescribed Levsin which makes it easier to swallow for a little while. If that's not why - have you called your dietician?

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@@Thinny Hi! Good luck in March!!! I took my house shoes, two soft fluffy pillows, extra changes of underwear, ear plugs (hospital provided some too), and all these things helped. Earplugs especially because my neighbor was very loud and always complaining. I also took gas x strips, which helped get the surgical air out quicker. Other things that the hospital provided that helped and that I would've brought are cleansing wipes, lip balm, a portable fan (it got hot so they found me one when I asked - I have one at home that I can clip on the bed which I should've taken with me), socks (they gave multiple pairs that you could discard when you wanted - I actually had taken my good ones so I was happy to have theirs so I could throw them away lol) and I think that's it. I took my tablet which I didn't use. I barely used my phone the first day because I was so out of it. I took my brand new Water bottle - again pointless because they provide pitchers and cups galore! I also took a heating pad which was also pointless because I was hot. I do use it at home though and it relieves pain. I think that's it! I hope that helps!

Being intubated was a surprise. And that my throat got so sore and I worried about that more than anything the first week. And that I've lost so much up front. I thought it would be slower. Other than that not much else has surprised me!

What I would give to have eggs. And yeah it is amazing how they have such varying diets. I was reading where some people get to have received beans and low fat cheese mixed up and mashed potatoes. Mine explicitly says NO retried beans and NO mashed potatoes. It even says NO fruit juice or NO vegetable juice. Sheesh!

That sounds good! Could you send me your chicken tortilla soup recipe? Mine is too heavy on carbs!! I need something new!

That's exactly how i feel! I had a routine and a good plan where I was at least getting 350 in but once I got back to work it kinda dropped. But you said it perfectly - every day is a new day...

Hey y'all about how many calories are you getting in? I'm tracking with my fitness pal and I'm barely averaging at 300! My dietician said 600 should be my number for a while now but dang I'm not even close. Anyone else? How are losses affected by lower cals - I know it can't be that good long term. She says low numbers are fine now - hopefully next week when I can eat fish and eggs I'll do more.

Update: 268.8 today! So excited! Didn't do to well with getting all my nutrition and fluids at first because my hiatal hernia repair was being super sensitive. I managed to get down a 30g premier Protein shake but called my dietician and she said that was good enough for today as far as protein goes and to now focus on liquids. She asked if warmer liquids go down better and I said yeah so that's what I switched to for the rest of the day. 6oz broth, 2oz of decaf...Ended up with 35oz of Fluid thankfully. Have to do better in the morning!

Thanks MsB7!!!!

Aw glad you're doing good and glad you got to switch!!!! I'm so glad you like that protein! Now I need to order the chocolate truffle too - all I got was plain! And I'm not even allowed to have almond milk OR egg! Only 2oz of skim milk and all the other clears and protein shakes. Until next week. How does your hernia repair feel when you swallow? Mine hurts unless it's warm liquid. so sad.

Flinstones chewables lol my doc played them

That's what I've read. Someone posted about how she had a leak and it was months after. They had to put in a drain and some other stuff because there was sepsis? Search "leak" in the forum. But also do research to - maybe people are ignoring symptoms. Idk.????

@@bsanders thanks! Good luck!!!! I hope everything goes well for you. You ready for the diet?

I just obsessed about them this afternoon for a few minutes and moved on lol. I would drive myself crazy if i over analyzed what's going on. Like I wish I could see that everything is staying in but my brain tells me that my doc used glue and staples and stuff so I'm worrying for nothing. I do understand that they could show up later out of nowhere and that freaks me out - that I could be all happy go lucky and then boom! I wonder if they will check soon or if they do so periodically. Ok now I'm freaking out.

Did she clarify though? Like what all was ok? Sounds like you have a better idea on how to proceed though right? Do you have a dietician that you get to call whenever? She can help if there's confusion down the road

No problem and thanks for reading them!!! You got this! Just think about how amazing you will feel on the other side. It's almost here, you have to do your part then pass the ball to the surgeon and then it's back to you. You have prepared for this. You have invested your time and money into this. You will be awesome! And at anytime you feel like there's a food you will miss, write it down on a piece of paper - make it the "Foods I'm Gonna Try When I Get to Goal" list. Chances are, you won't even want them but for me, just seeing them on the list makes me realize they're not gone forever just until they can no longer hurt me lol. Excited for you!

Kayla how's it going? Did you get clarification on your next phase? Here's what mine is starting next Monday:

Adina how's it going girlie? Are you still on clears or did you progress today? Can't remember if it was clears for one week or two for you. Keep us posted!

Day 7!!!! Woo hoo! Update: Well, I went to work today! It was a little hard getting there (I got really tired and lightheaded) but as soon as I started sipping one of the health wise Protein drinks and I got to my desk, I was all good. Had a really great day! Went to see my surgeon for my follow up because he's about to be out of town for two weeks. All my incisions look great! He's very pleased! Additionally, on his scale I'm down 20 pounds since my consult on 1/7/16 which is awesome!!!! He said I should expect to lose 21lbs in my first 21 days so I'm expecting more!!!!! Weigh-in this morning had me at 270.2 so I'm sure I'll be in the 260's tomorrow!!!! Shaooooo!!!! Lol! Anyways, 15g Protein Drink for Breakfast, 15g protein drink for lunch and 30g protein drink for dinner so I hit all my protein today!!!!! First time ever!!!! That's 27oz of Fluid right there so I just need to finish off my 20oz bottle before I go to sleep and I'll be at 47oz of fluid and that's fine by me! I'm so excited to be going through this journey and I appreciate all the support I have on here from everyone who comments on this thread to my feb 1st sisters to others who have kept in touch all the way! Just really happy and feeling the love! Praying that everyone who has an upcoming surgery has a successful one. May God bless your surgeon's hands and your bodies so that you have a smooth procedure and a speedy recovery! Amen.

I went back today - 7:30 to 5. I had scheduled feb 1 - 5 off just as a PTO request but told my doctor to give me a doctor's note dated Feb 1 - 12 just in case. Didn't need it. I also told no one except my husband about my surgery and I don't plan on it. Everyone knows I'm a beast in the gym when I put my mind to it so when one of my friends saw me she was like "back in the gym? I can totally tell" and I responded "you know me and my resolutions" lol and that was it! Was a little lightheaded this morning getting dressed but I immediately grabbed my protein drink and I was good. Made it through the whole day AND even drove the 1hr 30 min drive each way to my dr. for my follow-up appt! Which went VERY well. Down 21lbs on his scale and incisions are healing nicely! Glad everyone is doing so well! I'm so ready to crash for the night - but in a good way!

Hi Brenda - yeah I got the sleeve last Monday! Call them and ask if there's any preop bowel prep or anything like that. Did they give you a binder or any paper work? Mine did and all that info was there.