Malaika

Glad to hear everyone is out of surgery and recovering - sleep when you need to and then walk, walk, walk ...we'll look forward to seeing your posts when you're up to it. Tell Judy we all say "Hello" and that we'll look forward to hearing from/about her when she's feeling up to it! Be sure to take a group photo and post it!

Thank you all for the warm welcome and confidence in me - I hope I can live up to everyone's expectations.

That's awesome Cajun - makes the liquid phase totally worth it - huh? (or at least somewhat worth it!)

Thanks for the update - by now you are out of surgery - perhaps both you and Trudy are both out of surgery - and in recovery - we will look forward to updates from both of you -- be sure and look for Judy tomorrow while you're wandering the halls! Keep us posted!

SoCal - I am SO GLAD you have someone to talk to about this and that are helping you to see the light - you're doing great so far - you'll get the 2 meatballs in (that's what I just had for lunch) and your shake and I bet you'll begin to feel less foggy -- and start to look better, too. This surgery is to help you take your life back, not to make yourself sicker -- I know how you feel about being afraid to eat - bjut in order to get better you need to do it -- you'll see, soon, that you aren't going to eat too much - you just CAN'T so then you'll feel more comfortable and in control of what you do eat. Please keep us posted and definitely post anything you can to help others who might have this battle too. One day at a time - sometimes one hour or one minute at a time - that's all you can do!

I agree 100% with everything you've said Cajun (except for the part of the delayed plane, as I didn't have to worry about that!)

Welcome Jenn100 - it's nice that we have several Canadian neighbors on here. I hope all goes well for you and you don't have to wait much longer for your surgery - I can't imagine having to have waited 2+ years. Keep us posted.

I had the super keen smell after surgery too -- It was like bionic smelling and was just awful. It seems to have subsided somewhat (thank goodness); hopefully your's will subside a bit too down the road. However, I still am super sensitive to sweets. I may give this a try - I would like to have 1 Protein Drink I can tolerate for those days when I don't feel like eating but need my protein. Thanks, Shanda.

Welcome MountainLover and thank you for sharing your story - it sounds as though things are moving right along. I am sure you will pass your tests and everything will get sent to your insurance company. I hope the wait is not long for you to find out you're approved and to get your surgery date. Keep us all posted.

OH okay - sorry, I just didn't want you to misunderstand and then be upset after surgery to find you can't get that much in -- gotcha now! My mistake.

Francisco, welcome to VST. Thank you for your story and I, too, am glad that your surgery went well and that you had a good experience.

Tiff - Bearded hasn't mentioned anything about me feeling tighter; however he has mentioned that now that we are both thinner he can get closer and it feels different - and different in a GREAT way he says. So, I would take everyone's advice, talk to John about it (better do that on the way home from the airport, because I have a feeling you aren't going to have a chance once he gets you into the house!). I am sure once you reconsummate (sp?) your marriage, everything will be good and your fears will be laid to rest. Hang in there g/f the wait is almost over- quit borrowing trouble and rejoice in the fact that your man is going to be back in your arms and in your bed in the next day or two! HUGS to you.

I've never had those, so can't help you out there. I used the Atkins RTD on my pre-op diet and they were really good. I also stumbled upon PureProtein Cookies & Cream RTD Protein - and they were delicious. I like(d) EAS vanilla and chocolate Protein powder mixed with frozen fruit and either soy milk, Water or fruit juice, or 1/2 water/1/2 juice. Since my surgery, I can't stand any of them - they are too sweet and too thick. I am sure everyone will have an opinion and you'll be overwhelmed with suggestions -- start testing them out now so once you get your date, you'll have an idea of which ones you like best - get a variety is my suggestion. Hope you get your surgery date soon! keep us posted.

I tend to think men are less picky about what they eat than women. Bearded is always telling me, "you're too picky" ... sorry, but now that I can only eat little bits, I'm even more picky about what I choose to put in my mouth - I want it to be something I enjoy!

You might be thinking of Cajun; however she used Dr. Aceves. I think there are a few others, too from that area.

Well said (IMO) Phoenix!

Judy - not 2 Cups - 2 Oz.! (but that all sounds good - especially that yeast roll ... mmmm.) I don't even buy bread anymore.

Count me in on a CRUISE! Bearded too! LOL You'll be fine - just quit worrying so much - stick with the diet I sent you and you'll do fine -- don't worry about your Protein right now - just stay hydrated - when you get to mushies, you'll get in more protein. There are still some days when I am not able to get in all my protein and I don't stress about it anymore - I just try to do better the next day. It will ALL BE OKAY -- believe it - own it and don't put any more negative thoughts out there to foul you up -- POSITIVE OUT - POSTIVE BACK!

You are VERY welcome -- I am glad I saved all my emails as I have referred back to them so many times. Glad it helps you to feel less anxious - you've got enough to deal with in learning how to eat for your new stomach, you don't need to be stressed out about it too!

Shanda - Does it have a funny aftertaste?

No Tiff, I don't think it's psychological at all -- when I remember to exhale first, it does go down easier - I just don't think about it until after the fact -- I'll try filling the back of my throat with water first and see if that helps. I, too, can't imagine swalowing Prilosec laced applesauce. I couldn't find adult liquid tylenol, so ended up buying children's tylenol - cherry flavor - talk about so sickening sweet that I gagged everytime I took it ... and because it was childrens had to take a larger dose -- glad I only did that a few days before I figured out my TMJ was the cause of my headaches and went to see my chiro who put it back in place!

AJW that is FANTASTIC - I bet you are ecstatic! Hopefully I'll be there with you one day soon!:thumbup:

This is the post-op diet I was given by my surgeon, hopefully it will help you figure out what to eat/when: Here are a few ideas concerning the post op diet Day 1 thru 5 ( Clear liquids Only ) fruit juice ( apple, grape, cranberry ) Propel broth Jello-O Water Tea Protein Water by Kellogg?s Water popsicles Clear Protein drinks only ( example Isopure, unjury ) Day 6-10 ( thin liquids ) All of the above and: Natural Vegetable Juices ( example Carrot, V-8 juice ) Protein drinks mixed with water ( example Matrix ) whey nectar Protein Mix Day 11 thru 20 ( full liquids ) Cream Soups Yogurt Jello-O Boiled pureed fruit ( example apple, pear) applesauce Watermelon, papaya or melon in small pieces Low fat milk 1 or 2% Water, Propel, tea Soy beverages sugar free pudding Protein shakes and protein powders mixed with milk Day 21 thru 30 ( soft food ) Soft food should be the consistency of a thick liquid ( no chunks or solid material ) and it should be chewed very well before swallowing until it is a liquid consistency ) Tofu Low fat cottage cheese Cereal oatmeal Precooked pureed rice Low fat Yogurt Yogurt mixed with fruit very well blended Cream soups eggs Boiled pureed fruit ( example pear, apple ) Watermelon, papaya or melon in small pieces Boiled pureed vegetables Beans Day 31st and beyond ( solid food ) Fish, Chiken meat Turkey Vegetables Fruit A diet consisting of 800 calories and 70 grams of protein should be your goal.

I was eating yogurt by day 13 - no chunks of fruit in it though - Greek yogurt with SF syrup is s'pose to be really good and is higher in protein; however, I've not tried it yet.

I took Nexxium, but now my insurance won't cover it, so I take Prilosec - was taking 20 mg but that didn't do the job, so doc upped me to 40 mg and that seems to do the trick. The pharmacist told me if the capsules were to difficult to swallow, that I could open them and sprinkle them in some applesauce. So far, I haven't had too much trouble getting them down - the 40 mg are much larger than the 20 mg.