MargoCL

I may be a semi-newbie.... but here is my rant, and if it's already been posted... apologies.... The people that start multiple new threads for every single ailment, complaint, etc... I feel like they just want their name in the headlines as starting a new thread. That is all...

It is definitely surgeon specific and it all depends on how their WLS plan is written for their practice. Ideally, you want your colon and intestines as clean as possible. I was asked 3 times on my op day when my last BM was. Fortunately it was the day before and I felt like I had emptied my bladder enough the day before and day of to ensure my bowels and bladder were free of excess I also did not have to do an enema prior to surgery, unlike other past surgeries.

I didn't taste the crushed pills at all... I used the squeeze bottle of apple sauce, layered the spoon lightly, dumped crush pill in the middle and put more apple sauce on top... it went down quicker and smoother than any regular pill. Water seems easy now because you can consume 100oz, but it will get challenging especially post op. Set a timer and you have to follow your fluid guidelines.

I can completely echo @FluffyChix - Post op, the first day completely home (2 if you include discharge day) - All I did was sleep. When I was awake, I helped myself to protein shakes and bone broth. I really didn't need anyone with me. And when I got gassy, I went for laps around my street, close to the house in case I felt weak. As for your breakup, sorry to hear that but as Fluffy noted, better to find out beforehand than afterwards. You need to focus on yours own well being.

Before eating sugar free candies this soon post op, please be sure to check with your surgical team. My plan and team discourage the use of sugar free candies, gum, etc.

For the short interim, i had to crush my pills and take them with applesauce. I was told any pill larger than the nail bed of your pinky either had to be liquid form or crushed. - I only had to do this for 3 weeks and it wasn't a big deal and in some ways made some of my pills easier to take all around. But I also did this under the guidance of my surgical team. No matter what you do, I'd follow their instructions first.

7 days of liquid diet is nothing. I wish I had 7-days, but I had 14 - days and survived. Just spread out your shakes and use the time between to sip sip sip your water. You've got this. If you can, hide anything that is bad, out of sight, out of mind. Remember you've got this and a whole web full of supporters

Rescue Sleep has been a huge help to me over the years. During the first few days post surgery I felt the heartburn and slept with 1. a small pillow to keep on my belly, 2. slept propped up mostly to help with the heartburn. 3. I was able to move slightly to sleep almost on my side / belly with the pillow as my protector, but also propped to help with the heartburn feeling. I also adjusted the times of my PPI to take when my heartburn was at its worst.

Are you on a PPI? At 6 weeks most of your protein should come from natural foods. You may just have to stick to soft foods, but I would definitely suggest speaking with your surgical team and NUT to ensure there isn't a medical issue.

You will likely not be able to drive as long as you're on Pain Medication - this was the reason I stopped it as soon as I left the hospital. I didn't want to be restricted. As @Matt Z - If you have to buy stuff, buy the bare minimum - your tastes will change quite a bit post surgery and what you thought pre surgery as to - "oh, this will get me through this week" - will likely now last you weeks. I can attest to this as I have supplies that I bought two weeks prior to surgery that I'm still trying to get through 7.5 weeks post op. If you can, prepare some homemade bone broth (high in protein) to supplement protein shakes. In the first few days it took me hours to drink 1 shake. I relied heavily on bone broth, because it felt good going down and filled me up. I wouldn't buy powders right now as I found them to be more sweet than the premixed shakes and even those, don't over buy. Only buy what you think you will need. If you can tolerate canned soups, get some broth based soups and mix with protein broth mixes (can be found on the BP store) - it keeps the integrity of the canned broth flavor and adds protein to your soup at the same time. - I used this quite a bit pre surgery. Post, I lived on my homemade bone broths.

I've found that the protein waters with higher protein levels tend to feel thick / chalky if not served ice cold. Most of them all taste the same if your looking for berries / tropical. Protein20 Premier Protein Clear ProBalance Inc BiPro Trimono Protein infused water has the least amount of Protein, but in my opinion by far tastes the best.

It's by Isopure. Can be found on Amazon and Walmart

It's to ensure your intestines and colon are empty. The last thing you want is a dr accidentally nicking your intestines and having toxic waste flow through your entire insides contaminating and harming the other organs

I had it at the latter 1/2 of my pureed stage

I'm so sorry. I hope the meds work

Are you taking a PPI? I went through this the first couple of weeks and found I had to readjust the times of my PPI (Prilosec) and then later ask if it was OK to take twice a day. Once I did this it helped. Additionally, it could be the temperature or texture of your liquids. I am 7-weeks post op and still have to adjust the temperature of my water almost daily. Some days my pouch prefers cold, others hot, and some days it wants it loaded with ice. It's all trial and error. Ironically, I had the same issue as you yesterday with pea soup, I ended up taking a prilosec to help... it worked like a miracle. But yes, overall it will diminish, it may or may not go away all together. I can tell you mine has definitely gotten better.

at 600 calories per day, how are you consuming too much protein? Just an example - Premier Protein 160 cal, 30g protein - 4 shakes = 640 cals and 120g protein, 3 shakes = 480 cals and 90g protein. I'm very curious to know what your diet entails to meet your protein needs at 600 cals a day, because that's a diet I want to be on. My daily diet at 7 weeks post averages 600 - 700 cals per day, all natural protein (no shakes) and I meet 60 - 70 gram of protein per day. Your numbers just don't seem to add up.

As a WLS patient 7 weeks out, I can echo @Matt Z. Do not buy anything more than the bare minimum. I tried and tested so many protein powders / shakes and bought them up to a month before surgery to "prepare" myself. I have so much left over. Between my BF (who's not a WLS patient) and myself we're inching through our stack and both dreading it every day. I wish wish wish I had listened to the threads that stated don't over buy in advance.

Almost a month after my final appointment.

I've had to do several small meals since I got to the pureed stage to meet my protein goals and I've felt the fullness / restriction. It was really only this past Saturday - Monday that I felt like I could eat a horse and not be satiated (and actually had less meals overall). But today, I'm right back to feeling the fullness / restriction. So weird. I haven't been able to finish a solid meal yet.

Why can't we start some? Maybe ask Alex if he would be willing to give away some products as rewards?

My liver was normal sized as well prior to surgery, but I wasn't going to over indulge in the weeks leading up surgery. And my food funeral was very minimal (breakfast burger, keto pizza for lunch and steak for dinner). I still stuck to my low carb regimen. I've heard too many horror stories of people having their surgeries canceled because they didn't follow protocol. I wasn't going to be one of those statistics.

Aside from MFP, there is dietbet.com (also available in an app) Lose weight and earn money

Random Question - Are there days when you don't feel the restriction? The past three days I was nervous that the restriction was gone, so much so that I dreaded eating today thinking I could overeat. Today it's back and could barely muster 1.5 oz of chicken. I haven't changed my diet, if anything it's almost consistent; could that be an issue too? So my question is are there times when you don't feel the restriction? My diet is heavy protein 60-70g per day, minimal carbs 20-25 net and 64 - 100 oz of water daily.

Use your Spirometer