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I've been told by someone who did the reseach, that most of these products are kosher by but most don't go for the hecksher. My view is different. It's medicine- it's medically required. As such it falls outside the usual kashrut standards unless you are extremely "darti" in which case you probably wouldn't find anything to use. For myself, I believe health come first. My advise for other is (always), consult your Rav if you live by one. Best, Gwenn

Great! Glad it went well. I'll hope along with you. Sounds good. Gwenn

I can't believe it was two weeks ago. Feels long ago in some ways. I'm pain free other than gas on and off. My stomach is still sounding symphonic sometimes. Shoulder pain is almost extinct. It comes back when I walk a lot so I guess I'm stirring up the gas - but I'm not giving up the walking. I'm slow and don't go that far yet, but it's good. I can do most things but I am careful. My surgeon doesn't do a pre-op diet; just asked to tone it down which I didn't do until the week prior to surgery. However, he does 3 weeks of liquid post-op, then mush, etc. I've lost 23 pounds post-surgery! I am still finding that if I drink too quickly or too much at a time there's a lot of pressure so I don't take a lot in at once. Sometimes I can't see the future- I know in my head that everyone I know who has had this is eating almost everything and is losing and living like the normal human beings we always wished we were. But I've been down one or two days because it's still liquid and still gassy and it's hard to see forward. This board helps tremendously. Thanks for asking! Gwenn

By the way, don't you have an appointment tomorrow for the nutritionist and social worker? With the social worker (I saw Amy Severs?) they want to know that you're level headed about the surgery and what the band can give you. If you 're in therapy they love that, and if you tell them you're planning to do a lot of work to support yourself in this, they'll be happy too. They want to know you don't think you will be a size zero and that you have support from family and friends. They have support groups 2x a month so you can also say you heard about them and are looking forward to attending. You may have heard this already, but statistically they find that volume eaters do better than sweet eaters. And they understand that we're all emotional eaters. They just want you to be willing to take on the task of dealing with the emotional side. She also asked about exercise and about starting a new hobby like needlepoint so that hands aren't idle. She was nice and very understanding. I think I cried a little about getting my life back to where it was 15 years ago. The nutritionist I saw (Samaam?) gave me too much information. Could not take it all in. Realized I didn't need and I most of what she said and wrote for me was repeated in the educational class. She got me a little overwhelmed with it all, but it all sorts out. So good luck! Let me know how it went. Gwenn

Thanks....hope all is going well with you as well! I ended up going over to the surgeon's office and after all that with the nurse......he put a bandaid on it! LOL!!!!!! I learned something new today....just when you think all the gas is gone, it comes back! OY! Gwenn

That's why I'm trying so hard not to have hard stools. I have a hem. and it shows it's face every so often. Yup, I had a small bout with straining this week, and the resultant problem. I'm trying to drink a lot of Water and contacted my gastroenterologist. He's relented about Benefiber so I'm starting slowly. Just trying to get in enough fluids. It's not easy. Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it. Gwenn

Okay, finally have pain just about gone. Just tenderness in and around port incision. Two weeks on Wednesday. And lost 20 pounds. HOWEVER, my backside is miserable. I'm either having diah. or hard, painful movements, often in the same day. I think I'm going too often. Can't figure it out other than the fact that I used to take Metamusil every day and suddenly, I'm not. Surgeon doesn't really want me to start again if possible, gastroenterologist says fibersource, etc won't do the same. I really feel caught and it's depressing me. I have been taking Probiotics and I'm going to reduce those because maybe I'm overdoing. I didn't realize that taking them I don't need lactaid. Also, they changed me from Protonix to previcid to get the soluables. Another thing with my surgeon. Only crushable pills. Everyone else takes small pills. I need to do something. BUt before I go nuts with changes and start fighting the doctors, did anyone else experience this. Oh, let me add in that my surgeon has everyone on 3 weeks of the liquid diet after surgery. Thanks, Gwenn

Glad you liked your doctor. That's very important. Some people don't think so, but I think that the best doctor's I've met were also good people. My port is located about 4 inches above and a bit to the left of my belly-button. So, it's out of breast range (I'm low but not THAT low) and safe from the waist on pants, etc. Some surgeons put it on the side (think love handles). My brother-in-law had his moved to the side because he lifts things and he felt he'd bang it in from too much. My only concern was that it would be a while before my husband and I could resume "activities", and yup, probably another month or so. The port scar is heavier than the lapascopic scars- and about 2 inches wide. I have 4 small incisions -thin lines about an inch each. All but one get "covered" by me, but they are healing. The on that's centered between the "girls" is completely closed, pin thin and as of this afternoon's visit to the surgeon, uncovered. The others may take longer because they are underneath- something my brother-in-law didn't need to deal with- every woman would have this to some degree, but some not as much as I. My husband says I'm crazy to even care about scars, because no one will see them. I have to keep reminding him that I'm not hairy like he is and yes, the port scar will annoy me, but I'll live with it. I'm sure we'll "talk" more before you get banded, but I'll tell you now and again later.....walk as soon as they let you and keep on walking. I got out the chair (I stayed out of bed unless asleep) and walked in the corridors every hour on the hour for a few laps around the hospitial floor. You'll read it everywhere on the boards....walk walk walk. Slowly slowly, not for distance- for frequency. Are you staying overnight or going home the same day? If at home, try to find a short walk you can take all night if you're awake. When I first got home, I went up and down the hall of our building 10, 20, 30 times. Again, not for distance....just to keep moving. And even with today, and gas and stuff like that....I have to say I've had a very good recovery so far. I wish you the same! Gwenn

Hi Terri, You're coming up very soon. My brain is on vacation......who is doing your surgery? I went to the surgeon's office today. One of the surgistrips came off and there was a little unsutured section of one of the incisions. Well, I'm very large on top, so there was no way it would heal under there. The nurse at the office was NOT helpful, and I was concerned that it heal with no infection so I called late afternoon and told them that I wanted it seen and I wasn't waiting two weeks for an appointment (I live walking distance to Cedars). So they said come in and Khalili (the surgeon) say me and completely relaxed me and said "no problem". I think the office sometimes overprotects the doctors.....heck, they are there for us.....I think people forget that sometimes. The nurse had told me NO BANDAIDS, NO this and that. Dr. K pulls out a BAND AID and puts it on. Hilarious. Now, if I see anything similar with the others, I won't get worried because I now know what to expect. And yes, I'm a worry-wart. I'm doing well and don't want anything to screw it up. Thanks for the congrats on the weight. I expect it to slow down to a crawl once I'm eating again, but that's fine. It's going in the right direction and this quick start is giving me a boost. Take care! Gwenn

THanks. Drinking like a fish. H2O alway works with weight loss. Gwenn

Yes, I'm starting with one "serving" a day. For regularity overall, you need to build it up slowly. Last night one of my little strips fell off one of the incisions. Of course, there's just one spot at the end not closed...I guess the suture did take there. The rest of it is fine, but because it's open (and under my breast) I am now concerned that it doesn't get infected. I called the surgeon's office and the nurse was less than helpful. Don't use a bandaid, she said, but as there's something on it skin to skin, it needs to be covered. She thought my bra would take care of it, but I don't wear one all the time and mine are not cotton. I suggested a gauze pad, but she had no idea what that was (!?!) So, I have a gauze pad over it. If it doesn't close up by tomorrow, I'm calling back and going over- I live a few blocks from the office. Let them put a new piece of surgical tape on it. Good news is 23 pounds!!! Thanks for listening! Gwenn

Thanks, Mae. I called and they said Benefiber was okay to take and that this is common with liquid diets. I then contacted the Gastroenterologist I went to in the past- he's a terrific person- let's you email so I didn't have to go through trying to get an appointment to ask his advice. He okayed the benefiber - at least for now- and felt it could be the change to Previcid from Protonix (I changed so I could take the soluable form for a while) so I've got to try dropping that as well. He said my reflux could be gone soon as well and maybe I don't need the meds everyday. YAY. So nice of him. Just having him encourage me by saying how great it all sounds and just hang on for a bit really helped. It's a blessing when there are decent people in those white coats. So, next few days I'll be experimenting. It will give me something to do! Hope you're doing well!

Thank you!!!! You may be feel better mentally, if not my rump!!! I did not have antibiotics (at least non orally) but I did go on probiotics- I may need to reduce the amount as too much of that isn't the best either. I think these liquid Protein drinks are awful for some of us as well. They are fine as a one-Meal Replacement, but as a diet, nope. Trying to drink more Water. And my surgeon suggests benefiber. My gastro suggest Metamucil as usual, but hte surgeon says no to that- too lumpy and could get stuck after fills. However, maybe the meta crackers. Whatever, I need to do something so I'm going to try the benefiber, at least to experiment. Everything else is going so well, that this is disheartening. Gwenn

Yes, another question from me. I would like to know if people are allowed to take pills? My surgeon is having me crush everything or take in liquid form. I hate it and am wondering if I'm alone. THanks_Gwenn

My surgery was the 30th. I don't mind the liquid multi- I put in in cranberry juice and it's a Fluid. Tastes like a non alcoholic mai tai. But I want to go back to my reflux med protonix. not even a big pill and cutable. I cannot figure out why the surgeon is so against the small pills. How fast did you go back to pills, and how big were they? Thanks-Gwenn

I wish I could take more. I'm very lucky to be able to do this (I do keep in touch with the office although I'm really not supposed to do so). I take walks a couple of times a day, and read and rest. I'm going to have to figure out how to get hte walking in once I go back, but I'm determined to do it. I have 3 weeks left and am going to enjoy the chance to take a break. Hope you're doing well. Gwenn

I'm booked for June 4th. My surgeon books for 6 weeks following surgery. Hard for me to believe that the the port incision will heal by then, but I'm told it will. I'm two weeks this Wed. Gwenn

Today, I'm having one of "those days" and have a list of complaints, but truth is, and happily, none is major. I have sensitivity in the area around hte port- normal. Gas and diarrahea (sp?)- normal- I'm on liquids for three weeks. Pain in shoulder- no worst issue but it's a little better today. I'm told about two -three weeks for that one and I'm almost at 2. Itchy skin and my little bandaid strips have not come off. Reduced pain pills to 2 a day, cut in half. Hoping it will do it. I know there's a future with food again, but today I'm down. I feel silly being sad, because I have so much to be grateful for, but all these little things get very big sometimes. Anyone else or am I really the only one feeling this? Gwenn

Hi - I'm starting to fall into a routine...what I take when for example. It's great and I have a few weeks of it because I took a month off from work, but I can see that I'll have to build it all over again when I go back. I always get up as late as possible and rush to work. Now, I feel like I should get up earlier, and do things in the morning before going. I'm liking having my morning liquid while reading the paper, then walking, then hitting the computer, etc. I took the time because I feel like it's been 20 years since I've taken time to layback a bit. Now all I need is the lottery, right? Now if the shoulder pain would just stop, I'll be thrilled! And believe it or not, down 18 pounds. Freaky but good. Gwenn

I'm finding the same. I push then fall back. Then, feel better. I think some pushing is good. The body needs to move and go. And for our heads also. But rest is good too. I haven't move this afternoon. I have a couple of friends dropping by after work. My husband went out of town for a day so the company will be nice, but then it will be nice to just climb into bed. I'm hungrier today....but that's normal also. I guess I should stop watching the food network! LOL Gwenn

I've had the same thing. It is gas. Like a stitch in the side. I get it along the left side of the port and up. The surg told me yesterday that it's because of your body getting used to the foreign object in addition to the gas they put in, the swelling and the tunnel they create to hold the tube. He said that it's great how well one can feel, but even though the outside has minor incisions, the inside has had full-on surgery. And he said the incisions are deep. BUt your complaints are mine. I am trying to not be a martyr and skip the pain meds. The difference is huge so I'm going to cut myself a break and take them as directed. I just came back from a nice long walk and even picked up some flowers on the way back. It's cool and cloudy in LA and boy, does work and my desk seem far away today. Feels good. Gwenn

Thanks, Bea. The good news with all the stuff is that it's temporary. I find that walking sets it off (I do it anyway). I keep telling myself that the jiggling is helping it move and eventually move OUT! Other than this, I'm really doing well and even have 17 pounds off since my pre-op to now so the only people I complain to are here, as who else would get it, right? Thanks again and good luck. Gwenn

Thanks for the reply. I've tried heat and I guess I'll do it more. I also went to the chiropractor and he adjusted my neck and shoulder. I did help, so I'm going to go back. He also used the vibrating thingee....that worked also. My husband will love it when I ask him to go to the drugstore and buy me a vibrator!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL! The darvocet helps a bit too, and the surgeon okayed more time on the pain pills. Take care. Gwenn

Day 7 for me. Wanted a week ago. Saw the surgeon yesterday. All great. My only and big complaint is the shoulder pain. Not only is there the gas, but it's my bad shoulder. When I breathe deeply, boy does that gas hurt. And hurts more when I walk, although I walk anyway as I was told it helps. Down 17 pounds from the pre-op to post-op. If anyone has heard any "cures" for the gas (shoulder and stomach), please pass them on. The surgeon said it may take another week or so - all I can say is thank goodness for the pain pills. Makes a difference. Have anyone taken gas away chewables or strips? Did it help? Thanks, Gwenn

I'm down 17 since pre-op visit. Went to surg for post-op yesterday. Day 6. Fill appt made for 5 weeks from now. My trouble is my shoulder. Terrible. Walked and still walking constantly but have the pain. That's my bad shoulder also. Anyone find anyting to disipate the gas? My belly is still very gassy as well. Please let me know of anything you've heard of that could help with this. Other htan shoulder pain and gas, I'm really feeling good. Thank goodness for Darvocet! Gwenn