ItalianGirlAZ

Officially 1 week post-op....everyday is a climb towards success...yes the first week was rough, painful, and making myself doubt the decision I had made regarding this WLS journey...one week later, pain has subsided, days are now easier, and that dark cloud of doubt has turned into a beautiful rainbow of positive feelings, get up and go's and wishing I had done this before that stupid lap band I had implanted 4 years ago...so ask me again, do I regret and doubt what I have done to live a longer, healthier, positive lifestyle? Hell to the No! Food is now SECOND in my life, not first...It's about ME now, and I'm finally in first place and plan on staying there forever! Join me and make food your "sloppy seconds". For those of you who are pre and post op...here is some hints to help with protein intake & vitamin intake your first 2 weeks and beyond to avoid doubts and discouragement on your new digestive system... Fairlife Milk - www.fairlife.com I drink the skim milk one & every 8 oz has 13 grams of protein which helps a lot if you're like me and cant drink the majority of protein powders out there since they are made with artificial sweeteners ProMod - https://www.amazon.com/Abbott-Nutrition-Promod-Liquid-Protein/dp/B005XTYDH4 If you're like me and was given the little cup of "mystery syrup" in the hospital that looks like honey, you can order that from Amazon...1 oz gives you 10 grams of protein, and I mix it in my chamomile tea and it's great...its slightly sweet but contains no sugars...keeps you motivated to go on and if the hospital recommends it, you know its good for you Smart Water - https://www.drinksmartwater.com/ Again, if you're like me and are allergic to artificial sweeteners, Smart water has electrolytes and will keep you hydrated like Powerade Zero and others...2 - 33.8 oz bottles a day keep me well hydrated Chicken stock tends to be made more from bony parts, whereas chicken broth is made more out of meat. Chicken stock tends to have a fuller mouth feel and richer flavor, due to the gelatin released by long-simmering bones. Stock also has 6 grams of protein per 8 oz vs chicken broth, which only has 1 gram of protein. Vitamin Patches - For me, the first week was hard enough to get fluids down, much less thinking about incorporating vitamins to an already nauseous new digestive system. I purchased the Gastric Bypass Vitamin Patch Pack (30-Day Supply) by PatchMD, which is offered in the Bariatric Pal Store - https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/patchmd/products/gastric-bypass-vitamin-patch-pack-30-day-supply I started using them today, and within an hour, I felt better and more energized...I thought it was just me so I had my daughter try them as well & she had the same results...now I cant swear by them but I will wait and see what my labs show in a few weeks of being on them...the reviews say they work so we shall see... Hope this helps...best wishes and a speedy recovery to all...don't give up, if life wasn't a struggle, we would be spoiled...

June 5th here...our family is growing!

i was scheduled for bypass on 5/30 but after realizing that my date was a day AFTER memorial day, i wasn't feeling too confident about having a doctor work on me with a hangover lol so im gonna move over to june buddies...Good luck to all of you for a fast and speedy recovery...

GRATZ AND BEST WISHES TO ALL OF YOU! OUR MAY FAMILY JUST KEEPS GROWING! "Look in the mirror....that's your competition."

I found this article from the mayo clinic online that might help answer your question....best wishes! http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/edema/expert-answers/hand-swelling/faq-20058255

Like the others, my psychologist didn't say anything of the sort....now my surgeon/doctor did say to me that he would like me walking from 1 mile a day to 2 miles a day since that will help lessen any complications during surgery....other than that, you do your 2 week liver shrinking diet prior to surgery and you should be golden...best of luck to you!

GRATZ TO ALL THE NEW MAY PEEPS! ITS GOING TO BE A GREAT MONTH....BEST WISHES TO ALL...KEEP US POSTED!

I totally understand your frustrations and un-nerving thoughts that make you feel as if you're going round and round in circles and not being able to focus on whats best for YOU....been there, done that....the biggest thing you need to ask yourself is this...Am I really ready to dedicate myself to changing my eating habits, my lifestyle and overall thinking of how food is secondary in your life, not first...the only thing that should be first in your life is YOU...The bypass does not allow you to binge eat, slip up, or emotional eat...if you cant commit to changing your old ways and going forward with the new, you may need to revisit this option and decision at a later date....hopefully, as it was in my case, the band made me force those old habits to be gone, and now its going to be easy to stay true to the new ones I've developed going forward with the bypass...regardless of what you decide, we are all here for you, to support you, and totally understand what you're facing because we're all going through it with you, others who aren't in your shoes tend to criticize more and not really understand us, so its easier to presume whats best for us...its always easier to speak your mind for others when those people aren't walking in your shoes...be strong, step back, take a breath, and see what YOU feel is right for you...I am fortunate that my hubby & family love me unconditionally and stand by me 110%...I believe the same will be true for you...

i hope you meant the weight losing bench...lol

Ditto hun!

I live in Gilbert as well...well my hubby is currently stationed in CO, but our home is still in Gilbert...we're natives and miss home...I have family that lives in Hyde Park....Small world...

Gratz to you! You look amazing! You're an inspiration to us all!

Sorry to hear about your problem as well...I had my band removed Oct 2016, and if you take time to read my profile, I had the same issue as both of you...when my doctor finally took it out, my band had pulled my esophagus down causing me to pass out, be nauseous, not able to eat, and damaged my vagus nerve as well...after talking to my doctor, who is also now my surgeon, we both agreed that the bypass would be the best alternative for me...with the sleeve, you can gain all the weight back, but with the bypass, it keeps you in check...besides i have acid reflux and the bypass eliminates that problem completely....best of luck to you and keep looking forward!

@Newlife041417 - looks like you're heading into the home stretch in just a couple of days...best wishes and a speedy recovery to you as well hun!

My surgery is May 30th....had to push it off in order to wait for my daughter to be on summer break so she can fly out and take care of her mommy... Best wishes to everyone and feel free to message me for support or just to chat...