lisafrommassachusetts

Thank you!

Thank you! I will order some of the pudding and it will be here waiting for when I get back from the hospital. I had already ordered some of their soups; I have cream of chicken and one of cream of mushroom. 15 g of protein, so not as much as the protein shakes, but I will need some break from all that sweet taste. Do you continue to use these type of products? I can see incorporating some of these into my work lunches post surgery, for the extra protein.

What are protein puddings? Also, I bought some cream of chicken soup off of this site, you mix it with water. Can you have that once you are off just clear liquids?

I have tried beef bone broth in a couple of different brands; I don't care for it. I like the swanson chicken bone broth, and a kind I got on Amazon; Kettle and Fire Chicken bone broth and the Kettle and Fire chicken with mushroom. I've honestly never cared for jello, hoping after surgery I can get some down. I wish there were more interesting sugar-free flavors.

Thank you for the update!!! It is great to hear things are getting better every day. Keep sharing!

Enjoyed reading through this thread tonight. My surgery is Monday, and having some anxiety and of course the "oh no I'm losing my best friend, food" thoughts. A list is a great idea. In no particular order: 1. Walking with my husband and dog; climbing hills, crunching across snowy fields in the winter, enjoying really long meanders in the woods; 2. Boots. Not the booties I content myself and my too fat ankles and calves with, but real knee high winter boots. Maybe, just maybe, even tucking pants into said boots! 3. Dancing at weddings and not secretly worrying I look like John Travolta in Hairspray. 4. Not sweating out whether it is a "generous" or a "stingy" booth they are trying to seat me in. 5. Less pain in my knees, and not having to walk down a flight of stairs like a toddler! 6. Being able to walk up 2 flights of stairs without huffing and puffing. 7. Clothes. That I like. 8. Not feeling uncomfortable and self conscious for my neighbor on airplanes, at the theater, or at a baseball stadium (grrr, Fenway!) This was a great "reset" for my brain tonight.

Wow; sounds like you are doing great with sticking with the program.

Ah, that makes sense. Good luck!

Good to hear it's going so well. I am getting so excited/anxious.

Yes! Sounds like you are falling into a rhythm with all of this. We should all share our favorite "binge worthy" shows as we recuperate!

Glad to hear you are doing well! Your positive attitude is showing through. I'd love to hear how the post op diet is going, etc. I'm so happy to have found this board and this thread of other people on this amazing journey!

I am curious about the unflavored protein powder. Can you mix it with water and/or herbal tea?

Good luck! Where are you having surgery? I was not told anything about compressions socks...Everyone seems to have somewhat different directives. Hoping you have a smooth recovery!

Good luck! We'll have to share gripes and gratitudes!

Good luck!

It must be very hard to have made this decision and be facing this life change without the support of your partner. I would imagine that is very lonely. I am an old married lady (been married since 1985). This kind of significant lifestyle change is disruptive to our family, even when they stand 100% behind the decision. Perhaps your wife is a control freak, but perhaps she is simply unable to put her concerns into words. You do use language that suggest there are control issues, e.g. that you did not tell her until you had a surgery date because she would not have allowed you to get that far in the process, or afraid to say 'my body, my choice' because it would not go over well. At the risk of stating the obvious, you don't seem to have a whole lot of emotional intimacy in the marriage, and you surely don't seem to be able to communicate with each other. The years with small kids, big bills, exhaustion, and work/life balance issues are hard on EVERY marriage, now you are throwing in surgery and lifestyle change issues. Yikes! I know you have a lot going on, major surgery, new baby on the way, small child at home, but I hope that you and she can find time to go to a good marriage therapist. Along with getting physically healthy, it is my hope that you are able to be emotionally healthier, and that you and your wife find the joy and love that brought you together in the first place. Good luck!

So great to hear. Your weight loss is really impressive! Any tips for post-op diet stages?

I'm Monday, too. Good luck and we can maybe share recovery tips, gripes and victories. How long will you be inpatient?

So happy everything is good so far and very appreciative of the update. I'm scheduled for Monday! I was delayed a week due to the flu and I feel pretty ready at this point, but nervous, too of course. Can you tell me about the premier protein water? Does it taste actually like water?

Great news! And very encouraging for this of us waiting in line! May your healing continue.

Hooray for a "solid ok"! Hope you get some good sleep tonight and a safe trip home tomorrow.

You say bragging, I say inspiring. Congratulations!

Holy cow! No wonder you are nervous! Have they put you on a pre-op diet? You might want to call ahead and check on a few things, and by ahead I guess I mean tomorrow because you don't have anymore time. 1. Should you be on a pre-op diet? If so, and you are not, then they should reschedule; 2. Do you need clearance from a primary before the surgery? Any pre-op lab work? (I had to have blood work done) 3. What about after surgery; Can some consults be done by phone; or can you do the post op follow up appointments where you are? 4. What is there general idea of post op stay. 5. Can you travel 7 1/2 hours after surgery? I have a 2 hour commute to mine, and my doctor told me a few things, like bring a firm pillow (like a couch throw pillow) for the car ride; if I start to feel pain/nausea stop and hydrate and walk a bit. GOOD LUCK! Lots of folks on here have travelled abroad for the surgery, so you may hear from some of them.

Persistence. It is so hard to be persistent and advocate for yourself. Back in the 70s the feminist movement actually had "assertiveness training" sessions for women, because we are socialized to be too dang polite for our own good! (Must have worked with me because I am a trial attorney....). We mistake asking people to do their job or at least offer a cogent explanation of what the problem is, with being "annoying", or, gawd forbid "pushy". Good luck!

I have not gone in yet (surgery this Monday) but my neighbor gave me a suggestion for my hospital stay...ear plugs and an eye mask. I had an eye mask from flying, and my husband picked up some ear plugs for me at CVS. Also, on the February Surgery thread someone said they had wished they bought a wedge pillow for when they got home after surgery.