LemonPOPtart

*stares intently at my "soft foods" phase list*

Isn't it weird how all surgeons have different instructions? Now I can have the ground meats and well cooked peas and cheese and stuff, but no "full" liquids other than Protein drinks. No milk, no fruit, no pudding, no starches of any kind. No veggie that isn't minced into oblivion or steamed to death. LOL I'm also allowed my eggs two ways. Boiled or scrambled. Period. LOL

I've read on this forum of people eating mashed potato and pudding and adding milk to their Protein within days of surgery, and I'm freaking out! LOL!! My doc would have a turtle! :tt2:

I have another 10 days before I can even 'look' at fruit! "Full" fluids... are no where in my future I can see. :laugh:

Sweetie all I can tell you to do is be as creative as you can with your list. I'm sorry... I don't know what you're allowed... so my ideas aren't too helpful I'm afraid.

Post surgery here, a whole whoppin' 6 days. :smile2: So no problems. Well... I've had an acquaintance or two give me a stiff, "good luck with your decision". Pffft. I let it roll off. Not close to me anyway.

At the risk of being a "downer".... Someone here mentioned "death" from weight loss surgery. "Extreme and silly"? No. :tt2: Okay, now I don't know about lap band. I'm sure there are rare cases.. who knows? But this I DO know... One of my closest, long-time friends I've ever had DIED on November 18, 2005 from gastric bypass surgery. I was looking into having that surgery myself at the time. I was devastated by her death. My family was shocked, and deeply frightened I'd be next. I swore to them I'd never have the gastric bypass done. I kept my word. My friend was only in her mid 30s. My beautiful friend died because she wanted to be thin. :laugh: Mind you, I had to convince them that lap band was the safest procedure out there. But they were scared. I think they had a good reason to be.

Me? I don't work outside the home. I homeschool my kids, and we go to church. I am the fattest at church, the fattest at the homeschool meetings, and the fattest in our family. Everyone in "my" little world is "happy" and "excited" for me. I have certainly wondered it it would remain the same when suddenly I am not as big, and someone else is the heaviest? It's easy to be "fat" when your company is fatter. Time will tell I guess.

Susan

I wish I knew what to say. :laugh:

I know you're upset. The best thing I can tell you to do Honey is try to eat "chunky" type stuff, like meat, to make you feel fuller, longer, and watch your carbs. Hang in there. (((hugs)))

Susan

At the risk of echoing what everyone else has said, NO GUM! :laugh: In addition to it getting stuck, consider this: When you chew, you inadvertently swallow some air. Mercy, the gas is bad enough without adding to it!! :tt2: Also, drink EVERYTHING (hot or cold) through a straw. Again, it helps cut down on the air you "swallow".

And the pain? I thought I was gonna die that first day!! I was hurting so bad I was crying. It felt like I'd been beat with a lead pipe!! Thank goodness the "bad" pain was short-lived. I really hope you're feeling better Honey. KEEP WALKING!!! (it helps tremendously!!) :smile2:

(((hugs)))

Susan

Everyone has different instructions from their doctors it seems. Please, please call yours and ask him Sweetie.

I was forbidden from adding anything to mine. I've heard of other folks adding milk and I was actually envious. I had Water in mine, and nothing else. IMHO, most of them taste horrific. I have found the nectar Fuzzy Navel to be one of the most palatable ones. :tt2: I wish you all the best. But yes, please do call your doctor. And do what he/she says to the letter! You won't regret it. :laugh:

Hugs, Susan

Umm, are y'all not allowed meat as a "mushie"? I started mushies, and let me tell you what I made. And it's YUM.

I browned ground chuck. Drained it really well, and even rinsed the meat. (no grease, thank you) :laugh: I put it back in the pan and added a little Water. I seasoned it lightly and added refried Beans. I let it simmer and bubble. When I fixed mine I just added a little cheese and a spoonful of sour cream and a spoonful of mild salsa. I thought I'd went to Heaven! A small amount filled me up nicely.

Protein is what will fill you up. And this was "mushy" enough so it's easy to eat, and everything was on my "okay" list. :smile2: I really hope this helps. :tt2:

Hugs Susan

Susan, thanks for posting the propel suggestion, I have felt really drained today. I'm going to try the propel and see if it helps.

Thanks,

Stacy

You're welcome!! I'm telling you it was a life-saver! On my "worst" day I drank a couple of them and it made a world of difference!! Honey if your electrolytes get too low, you could end up in the hospital, (I've heard, not sure how true it is, but I can darn sure understand why!!)

Feel better!! (((hugs)))

+JMJ+:laugh:

Susan

Why, oh why, did I NOT see this thread the other day when I was STARVING and having a melt down??!! LOL!!!

I was on clear liquids only for NINE heinous days. I had diarrhea on top of that. I couldn't have the Protein shakes til Day 6. *cries* I was deeply concerned I was going to end up on Death Row. LOL

What did I do? Had a melt down. I drank as much liquid as I possibly could, and went to bed early. It was horrible. I felt weak, miserable, and at night I was GROUCHY!!

The best thing I can suggest is drink those Protein drinks, get in enough fluids, and drink Propel (only 3 carbs, and clear). I know it's horrible. I am so grateful it's over for me. Those of you still enduring it, I feel your pain. It'll be over soon. (((((hugs)))))

+JMJ+ :laugh:

Susan

Tomorrow makes a week for me. The gas has been heinous. The first couple of days was the worst.. but trust me, I still have it somewhat. I wasn't sure what you meant by "gurgling", but I think I know... that awful "I need to belch/hiccup" feeling and its is REALLY uncomfortable.

I took the Gas X Strips religiously for a few days and realized they didn't do a blessed thing. LOL So just walk, walk, and walk. It's all you can do and it really does help, trust me. When the diarrhea from the liquids and the non-food makes you feel horrific, DRINK PROPEL!! You're electrolytes get low and you NEED Propel. (My Dr told me this) Only 3 carbs, clear, liquid, (meets all requirements) and trust me you'll feel TONS better.

(((hugs)))

Hang in there!!

+JMJ+ :laugh:

Susan

Today is day 5 for me. (Surgery was this past Friday). I just started Protein Drinks yesterday. I can't stand the Isopure. Today I had nectar in Fuzzy Navel flavor mixed with Water served over ice and it's not too shabby. Best Protein Drink I've had yet!! :smile2: I am not supposed to start soft foods til Saturday but I admit I am hungry now. I have a call in to my NUT to see what she says. I am not exactly clear on what "full fluids" means and I want to be sure my understanding of it is clear!!

I answered this a few minutes ago in another thread. I have Aetna... and all my visits, surgery co-pay, nutritionist, pysch eval, the whole sha-bang cost me out of pocket approximately $630. I have no idea about "fills". I haven't had my first one yet. :tongue2:

Each of my bi-weekly appointments I had a co-pay of $30 (for 3 months)

Fitness consult was a one-time fee of $20

I 'think' the psych eval was $30, but I might be wrong on that. Sorry.

Nutritionist was $100

My "portion" of the surgery was $300

So that's what?? Total of about $630 I think? Not too heinous. :tongue2:

It was 3 months for me also. I didn't think that day would ever come. When I finally got 'THE CALL' that I'd been approved, I cried I was so happy. :tongue2:

HolliJ I am proud of you. Sweetie it just ain't worth it!!

Riley I am with you. I was terrified of having a huge liver and not getting my surgery. I did NOT cheat, not even once... unless you want to count receiving Holy Communion. :tongue2: But I did get my surgery so I guess I did okay.

Hey y'all! Well I am now 2 days post op. I can now get up and down off the couch by myself. I can "mostly" do for myself in the bathroom. Thank goodness for hubby being a good sport. :tongue2:

I am sipping lots of Crystal Light, limiting myself to 2 popsicles a day. sugar free pops have 8 carbs in them!! :thumbup: (no, I don't split the "twin pop". I eat both "sides" and that is 8 whoppin carbs!) I was horrified when I saw that. Anyhoodles, Jello and Crystal Light and boullion is pretty safe. So I am constantly sipping. :thumbup: I walk around, see what my kids are up to, and nap. My daughter brings the clean laundry next to me on the couch and I fold it... keeps me from feeling like a complete sloth. LOL

Yes I am sore... and the liquid Loritab is the most horrific mess I have ever had the displeasure of tasting. LOL It doesn't "kill" all the pain, but it takes the nasty edge off and makes it much more bearable.

I was allowed my first shower last night... which I was able to do with NO assistance. And oh mercy me I felt "like a girl" finally. LOL Nothing beats feeling clean and smelling good!! I really missed going to church today... but that's okay. Maybe next week.

I know some of you are having your BIG DAY tomorrow or this week. I will be praying for you all!! :glare: Don't be nervous. I promise it's not that bad. I'm a giant chicken and I did hunky-dorry fine! Y'all will do AWWESOMME!! :mad:

Love and Hugs.... Susan :mad:

July 27th here!!!

Good Luck Sweetie!! I'll say a prayer for ya!! But you'll do just fine! :cool2:

Congrats and wishing you a lifetime of happiness and good health. I am getting banded on 7/29 so drop me a message and we can support eachother!!!

BTW, I went to the Popmart tour in Philly in 1997, it was awesome.

Thank you and I wish you the greatest blessings as well! :cool2: I am so tickled to find another U2 fan here!!! :smile:

Erin, your day will be here before you know it!! :cool2:

V8 Soups, eh? Hmmm... I shall add those to my list. Thanks!! :smile:

I'm in Jax!! And I was banded TODAY by the very awesome Dr. Baptista!! I just cannot say enough good about him!! :cool2:

Hey everyone!! I am home now... sore but I'm okay. I had the lap band surgery, :wub: plus they "re-tacked" down my "old" hernia (from 3 years ago).... fixed the (new) hiatal heria I had... AND THEN removed an enormous hernia in my lower abdomen. It was as big as his fist & wrist combined!! :eek: So needless to say I am plenty sore. :cool2: And I'm on liquids for a while... But my spirits are good & I keep getting up every hour and doing some walking. :wub: I could not have gotten thru this so easily without prayer!!! Thank you all so much for all the kind words, PMs, and prayers!! :smile:

good luck! <3

Thank you!! Everything went smoothly and I am home now. :cool2: I sure am sore... but nothing too bad. :smile:

I am ultra scared of them telling me my liver isn't "right". I've been good... but good enough? I dunno. The jury is out. My surgery is tomorrow so I suppose I'll find out soon enough!

:laugh:

I have my nectar ready to go though. I've been living off of the "clear" stuff for 2 days... who knew sugar free popsicles were so darn good?!?! :eek: :thumbup: I do have "clear" stuff bought... so hopefully tomorrow surgery will go well and my liver will "pass" the test. *crosses fingers*

Little2Be and amethyst_moonbow, good luck to both of you!! :laugh:

knrpick~ Wow...a fill so soon? I wonder if that's the normal thing. I have no clue!! Let us know how it goes. Makes me wonder how soon I'll need one!

Bunz1969~ Congrats on your surgery!! I am sorry to hear you were sick afterward. I always have the same problem... and I did tell them about it. I hope they remember! *crosses fingers*

Mercy me! Tomorrow is my big day. I am nervous but excited. :eek: I have to be in at 5:30 am! See y'all on the "other side"!! :thumbup:

Thank you all so much! I am so excited!! I've bought myself some Fuzzy Navel flavored nectar Protein for later, and my Clear liquids start at midnight tonight!! Being nervous and excited combined, I swear I am nearly giddy! LOL

JVFlorida, congrats on your awesome loss!! :thumbup: Awww.. I hope you get healed up soon. (((hugs)))

CMDTL, you're gonna love Dr. Baptista. He is such a very nice man. :thumbup: Do everything they tell you!

CTay904, how long has it been since your surgery? I would have preferred St Vincents, (its closer). I guess I'm biased. I've been in both hospitals. (St. V & Memorial) I did prefer the care at St Vincents, (9 years ago), but to be fair, I was in Memorial 16 years ago. I did meet one of the nurses at Memorial a few days ago, and she was the sweetest thing! That made me feel a LOT better!!! :ohmy:

I went and bought nectar Protein today for later after the surgery. I have to seriously stick to the liquids Wednesday and Thursday, and for the few days following. Funny how different surgeons have different instructions.

I called the Weight Loss Counselor at my doctors office, and she said that even a week makes a really big difference in the size of your liver. So that makes me feel a lot better. She also told me not to touch those Protein drinks until I'm at the 'phase' where I can have them. I told her I am just really anxious and want to do the right thing! :thumbup:

Losing 4 Life, good luck to you also! :sneaky: :bored: