LAN2k

Thanks much. I can't tolorate the sucralose but the SoBe O Calorie lifewater sounds perfect!

4EverFit Tropical Mango. It can be ordered online at netrition.com Can you tell me if there are any artificial sweetners in this product?? I hope the answer is no because I react with migraine. Thanks.

I think this link gives you so much information about what hemp is, the politics behind it, and how really beneficial it is. You can also purchase great hemp products here. I intend to soon. *listen to the audio on Hemp if you will. http://hempusa.org/

"fruit protein"? Where can I get that?

I'm only 11 days out, on clear liquids and for the first time ever I think I know what it is to really be hungry. I am so unbelievably hungry it hurts. I don't think I'm taking in more than 500 calories a day if even. So I feel that these pangs must be justified since it is such a drastic change for me. My doctor has me on chewable pepsid ac 2x per day. He said I must take them every day. Will the over-the-counter chewable pepsid be enough ya think??

Wow I wish I knew how to navigate these forums better Cajun. Congratulations!!!! I am thrilled, it sounds like your doing great and I am so happy about that. I can't wait to hear more about how things went and continue to go with you.

As of this morning the drain is out! It feels so good to have that phase over. Thanks for asking.

Thank you. I learn something new each day. My doc put me on over the counter pepsid aC EZ chews 2x per day. Hey and while I'm here I gotta tell you I feel sooooooo much better today! My drains are out and by next tuesday I'll be on full liquids!!! I'm starting to feel happy like you seasoned sleevers and I thank God!!!

Getting on a PPI can really help with that... what does PPI stand for? duh

I'm not at that stage yet, however I'm sure I will go through it! I'm just on clear fluids now post op and it's got me feeling on the brink of starvation. Like I've said in an earlier post. The next phase of "full liquids" including soft cheese, mushie Cereal, pureed meats/veggies etc. will be a food heaven to me by contrast to what I've got right now! I can see how the progression to "real" food psychologically enables one to appreciate eating, at least it will for me. Thank you so much for sharing your experience I will keep what you have said in mind when I'm at your stage in the process.

From my experience and research the pre-surgery diet is required, I did it with little problem, but I can't speak for anyone else. I'm 10 days out since my surgery, I'm seeing my surgeon at 9:30 AM today. I am on a post surgery "clear" liquid diet at this stage I am taking in far too few calories and/or nutrition to feel emotional sadness about food. I am just so hungry that I can't wait (although I must), to start on "full" liquids which will allow me real pureed, and soft/mushie foods. From where I am now that will be a food heaven. I love/d food but I am thrilled that later on if all goes as it should, I will be able to enjoy it in the way I always wished I could, eating it slowly and savoring every bite. Excercise is essential for the body during weight loss, or under any circumstances for circulation. In the hospital I was forced to get out of my bed and walk walk walk through the hallways. I personally anticipate sagging skin, even with vigorous consistant excercise, but I am 54 years old. Depending upon a persons age, after large weight loss, excess skin is a reality, but there are cosmetic procedures available to fix that. Many of the "Bigest Losers" are young, 20's, 30's...but if you look closely the more mature "losers" have excess skin, neck arms...etc. The excercise that they do must really help to tone them however. Best to you in your journey. Your in the right place. Keep us informed. Peace.

Thank you VegasAngel, I sure can't wait until I am able to eat pureed food. I am so hungry that I can't get to sleep tonight! I'll keep you posted and please do the same.

Thanks Tiff, I appreciate the tip. Tomorrow I will stock up on some and try to find some Protein powder to add to broths and other liquids. I just can't wait until I can eat soft pureed foods. I so appreciate your acknowledgement. I'm like wide awake because I'm so hungry but in the last hour I managed to get in around 22 oz of Water and Vitamin water so at least I'm keeping myself hydrated.:001_smile:

Thanks AJW...I was on a pre op diet yes for 4 weeks and I lost 15lbs. I had 2 whey shakes w/lowfat organic milk, and 1 meal for dinner. The last day before surgery I had 3 whey shakes only. I am not feeling too sad about missing food as I knew it although I do have some lingering thoughts. I am however, really truly feeling hunger, near the point of light headedness. It's late now but tomorrow I'll force down another few ounces of whey protein. (I just can't stomach it now). I'll be seeing my surgeon first thing in the morning and I HOPE he has some suggestions. I'm also going to try to find some protein powder (unflavored unscented) if possible to add to my fruit drinks and broths etc. I am really really very hungry and feel I would kiss the spoon I lick off any decent puree food, veggie, meat etc! Give me baby food!! ANYTHING mushie I'll take it. I mean how many calories can I possibly be getting with unsweetened apple or cranberry juice and a scoop of whey in a thin almond milk shake? Thanks for the support I just don't want my resistance to run down I think tomorrow I'd better find a way to ingest MORE protein because alarm bells are going off in my head. Thanks again.

Hey all I'm coming in on the tail end here I think but I am 9 days out, on the "clear" liquid diet still although my doctor told me I can make thin whey shakes if I want and I have but not enjoyed them much. I am so hungry that I am uncomfortable and it scares me. I constantly have hunger pangs. I sip chicken and beef bullion as I did in the hospital. I tried a heavier clear chicken broth but it didn't sit well with me. I have been sipping on clear apple juice, vitamin waters, and water all day and at night too unless I'm asleep. I'm figuring that this is such a dramatic change for my body and brain and that is why it feels like my stomach is growling constantly. I never before felt fear of the possibility of not getting enough nutrition. I hope I can try the pureed food soon because this is so uncomfortable. If any one has any suggestions feel free to post please. :001_smile:

My surgeon told me it was OK for me to use the Jay Robb protein powder I have been using pre surgery only to mix it with water instead of milk. I tried that and it was awful so I used almond milk and yesterday and today I had blended shakes which took me almost an hour to drink. They were tolerable to the palate and to my system but I did not enjoy them as I did prior to the surgery.

I would like to try this but can you be more specific? Does this powder come in packets? Thanks.

Actually now that I think about it I couldn't really eat much after my abdominal hernia repair! LOL.

Hi, I'm just out of the hospital Sept.20 after having my sleeve surgery on the 15th so my hospital stay is fresh in my mind. Ditto on the warm cotton blankets and massages, although there were only a couple of choice nurses and student nurses who were exceptional in their care and dedication to me personally THEY made my hospital stay most comforting and memorable. I would have preferred a private room, that said, the 2 patients to the left of me, (I had the window bed), were extraordinary women both were a pleasure to get to know and yes a comfort as well. I wish I could say more but with the sleeve there isn't much to speak of when it came to meals. My last surgery in Stony Brook Hospital, NY, was for an incisional upper abdominal hernia and I was allowed to eat and that hospital had an unbelievable menu!!! All the food was catered from a local gourmet restaurant that has GREAT food. At that time having such unreal meals/snacks etc. was a huge comfort. Anyway best wishes to your upcoming surgery, if you have any other concerns or questions feel free to pm me anytime...I'm at home recovering. God bless.

Hi VegasAngel, My procedure was not open but I recall my surgeon telling me prior to the surgery that I would be sent home with a drain for a few days. He was aware of previous gastric and abdominal surgeries. As it turned out, there was excessive scar tissue and the surgery took a bit over 3 hours. The excessive scar tissue was from previous surgeries, Open Gallbladder 1976 and Open Incisional Hernia (upper abdomen) 2007. Afterward, he explained to me that the incision where the portion of the stomach is removed was made a bit larger than usual. While in the hospital I had a blood transfusion. There was allot of bleeding coming through on my dressing for a while. I was in the hospital from Tuesday the 15th to Sunday the 20th. I was watched closely and I suppose that is why I had home-health nurse assistance. The bleeding has finally decreased and this morning there was significantly less blood on the dressing noted by the nurse. The measurements of the blood draining is also decreased. I have an appointment with him (my surgeon) tomorrow morning. Other than that, other than feeling a little vulnerable and a weird sort of hunger, (on liquids), I seem to be progressing. As usual at the end of each day I do hope everything will turn out OK. Thanks for your concern and continued support.

Thanks Tiffy, I just awoke about 4AM. Apple juice was the only thing I could tolerate day 2 after surgery (after the leak test). I feel as if I am getting some sort of nutrition from it. I guess I should search another topic to delve into post op liquid dieting? thanks again for being here...and that goes for all of you courageous sleevers!!!

Hi Tiffany, hi Jennifer, My tongue is back to normal. At the time the nurse looked at it the fungal erruption was nearly gone so she didn't think it was anything to be concerned about and just told me it was likely from dehydration. I don't know because I was sipping on various liquids including Water all day and that evening into the night. One thing for sure is I notice my mouth/tongue does dry out and I guess that is good so I am forced to keep water close. I am really struggling tonight with HUNGER! I notice though that if I take too big a sip of anything it doesn't feel right going down nor after it goes down so my new stomach is training me to be cautious. Anybody have any suggestions about how to deal with this knawing hunger? Today I had a whey Protein drink made with Jay Robb chocolate and I used Almond milk for fear of introducing regular milk so soon. It took me nearly 50 minutes to finish it. I also had bullion chicken broth and beef broth. Apple juice, cranberry juice, water, and more water, ice cubes to suck on etc. But I am sooooooooo hungry. The home nurse BTW, was super and redressed my bandages so gently and carefully. I am one of those who can easily faint so this is very difficult for me.

Hi Cajun, yes they did give me alot of antibiotics in the hospital. It did look like thrush, however whatever it is/was it seems to be subsiding. My tongue seems to get dried out very quickly too. I'll have the visiting home nurse have a look at it as well. Thanks.

I just brushed my tongue and teeth with baking soda, then gargled with salt Water w/a few drops of hydrogen peroxide. My tongue looks better, not completely clear but much better. Whatever it was/is I think it is subsiding. Although my tongue seems to get very dry with this too. I do think it was thrush it was very fungal looking last night. I am still suspicious however that it may have been a reaction to something I "sipped"? I've been trying different things. In a few minutes a visiting home nurse is well, visiting me and I'll see what she says too.

Wow I am glad the liquid benadryl worked for you VegasAngel. I have a strong aversive reaction to benadryl. I am just getting up now (have alot of pain around incision)...and about to brush teeth tongue and gargle. It looks like this fungal outbreak on my tongue is fading. I hope so. If not my surgeon will probably call in a prescription to my pharmacy to treat it. Thanks for caring.