I Am Enough!

I told my boss, there may be some days when I need to have an extra little nap in the afternoons. They've been super about the time flexibility, so I can work in the mornings when I do have extra energy too.

Gambapentin will mess you up! I was prescribed it for help treating a nerve injury, and it completely ruined me to be able to drive. I was so glad to get off that stuff! So great to hear you are feeling so much better and doing all that walking! Congratulations!!!

Yeah, I'm not going to be released until late October for regular foods. More time to heal Can do lots with soft and pureed foods though!

I didn't even now there was another thread SOOO glad to hear that you came out well and with no complications! The barium test sounds awful, but I'm glad everything came out all right. Yeah, I'm a 100+ ounce water drinker too and I'm not quite sure how that is going to mess with me afters. Especially since you have to wait before and after eating to drink again. Are you putting protein in your pudding and water too?

Wishing you the best of the recoveries!! Please let us know how you feel when you can

7 days in to the pre-op liquid diet and one week until surgery. I can do this! Now that the caffeine headache withdrawal is gone, it's much easier to tolerate the diet. I think I have decided not to go back to coffee in the mornings once I can simply because of the awful experience I had with the withdrawals. I only consume one cup in the mornings and I don't wish to go through that again! So instead I think I'm going to start warming up a protein drink or switch to KaCahva or herbal tea or something else that does not have the addicting caffeine. Believe me, I love coffee, but I sure did not love learning how dependent I was on it. One more thing to adjust into my new lifestyle for a healthier me Has anyone else tried that new KaChava drink to replace coffee? Would love to know what you think about it!

So wonderful to hear your procedure went smoothly! My surgery prep team already talked to me about having a patch in place for nausea, so I'm hoping I won't have that issue. I have also been pre-self care about constipation by taking a Dulcolax chewable every other day. Being on clear liquids, there isn't a lot remaining after so many days and I have 7 left to go. I'm hoping this regimen will ensure no constipation after surgery. Keep us informed on your progress!

Yes absolutely agree! The first few days are difficult, then it gets much better. Hang in there - you can do this! ❤️

It is pretty amazing how fast pounds melt off in this pre-op diet! Today has been one fo the first days in a looooong time that I actually felt lighter. I need to take some body measurements to track that progress too Love the broth!

The clear liquid diet has been a bit harder than the full liquid diet. Being limited to 5 protein drinks a day but unlimited sf jello, popsicles, and broth. However, in the past 4 days, I have lost another 6 pounds. I had gained back up to 234 before my pre-op appointment eating things that I shouldn't have. But I wanted to say goodbye to them for awhile 🤪Mind food cravings are real! But that's just it, they are in your mind. Drinking all the water and drinks and unlimited free foods definitely will keep you full. Chewing gum when you HAVE to give your jaw something to do has been helpful to me. The biggest challenges I have experienced on the clear liquid diet is the caffeine headache (which is better today, but not gone) and seeing any kind of food posts on social media. I believe I'm going to stay off social media for a while because it's too tempting and a constant reminder of what I cannot have right now. I have also noticed that some things make me feel like I'm in my first trimester again - smells and textures around food that I can't eat have been bothering me. It's like I want to crawl into a little bubble and not see, taste, smell, or feel anything that I can't have. 🤣I am on my 5th day of the clear liquids and it is getting better. I know I can do this! You can too I hope it gets better for you soon too!

Diarrhea is all about cleaning everything out and it's gonna be that way for awhile. Believe it or not, the chicken broth is so soothing because you warm it up. after cold shakes and clear fluids all day, it is the most welcomed part of my day. Just plain broth out of a box is yuckky. Try adding Better than Bouillon to it. I add the vegetable stock and it is amazing!! Hope you feel better! I'm dealing with the caffeine headaches. I only drink one cup each morning, but main this is really kicking my head today.

These are theprotein ones I use: 1) AGN Roots Grass-fed Whey from Amazon - you can heat it in soups, or blend into smoothies, too and it does not have any flavor https://www.amazon.com/AGN-Roots-Grass-Whey-Protein/dp/B07X9V8718 2) Pre-protein liquid protein - You have to make sure that it has the L-Tryptophan ingredient in it to be a complete protein. Bariatric pal sells it here on their website and it is available on Amazon. I have been running into out of stocks lately because it works so well. I dissolve it into my water and it actually tastes good instead of that funky protein flavor. I also dissolve it into my jello. https://www.amazon.com/Pre-Protein-Predigested-Hospitals-Nutritional-Grape-Flavor/dp/B09JBDGKBW/ref=sr_1_5 They also have cherry and peach flavors. I like them all. Since there are out of stocks on a few items, I have just recently ordered ProSource Neutral Flavor to mix into my jellos and waters. I sure hope that helps! I am still in pre-op clear liquids, but I can easily average over a 100 grams of protein a day with the help of the liquids and unflavored versions.

In my pre-op appt, they spoke about adding the hernia repair if I needed it while doing the procedure. Because it is so small they aren't sure yet. It's hard enough healing without that extra pain waking you up all the time! Hope it goes away soon! 😎

Have you tried adding protein powder to your pureed foods? Like if you make a potato soup and puree it, you can add a scoop of unflavored protein powder to get that nutrition in. Or adding the liquid protein to your water or smoothies?

AMEN!

I'm seriously looking forward to ricotta bakes!!!!

YES! I told my family today that I can't go to the grocery store any more for them until I get through this. It is sooo weird, I never dream about food and yet, I can't stop thinking about the taste of grilled food and spices. It's driving me a little nutso! I'll be so relieved when I can have full liquids again! Homemade chicken broth is a life saver though, I will admit that!

How are things going for you now? Are you feeling any better? I have been traveling for several days and not able to see the posts. I hope you are doing okay! I had my 2 week pre-op appt and on clear liquids now - I'm ready to get this done. I sure hope you're feeling better!!

I've had a small persistent headache I believe due to no caffeine. I thought I was being smart and using the Premiere cafe latte protein shake, but then learned it has caffeine! The clear liquid stage is kickin' my hiney, but I'm hanging in there. You can do it too!

It's graet to hear you had a successful surgery! Congrats Yeah, the clear liquid stage is difficult. I know I'm ready for full liquids again!

I'm totally there with ya! I had a two-hour instructional meeting today before my pre-op appointment. It's like all of a sudden, everything is getting really real even though I have been doing the pre-op liquid diet. I'm nervous and anxious too. I think this is normal, and we should allow ourselves to relax and honor it

Woo hoo! August 18th! I'm so excited! I think there are 3 of us for this date 🥰

I hope everything works out for you on both of your procedures! Have you considered turning your protein yogurt into a smoothie? Perhaps adding some water and add protein powder would help satiate your hunger for a bit. Would they allow you to have Liquid Protein that you can put in your water? Talk to your nutritionist and see if they have ideas or recipes you can create.

That's awesome! I hope you find the liquid protein a life saver! I much prefer it in the SF Jello. I have lemon electrolytes that I put in my water, so mixing the cherry flavor with the lemon makes for a tasty water to drink

Now that I am into my clear liquids, I'm definitely a lot hungrier. I woke up in the middle of the night with my stomach rumbling and I never do that. I was able to fortify the organic chicken broth with some of that Better than Bouillion stock and it made it taste a lot better. I'm not a big fan of SF jello, but it has become my friend. Adding enough protein to the date seems to help satiate for a bit. The clear-liquid time is definitely more challenging. Hang in there - you've got this!!