Malaika

So far, NO - I'm so damn tired that I'm barely able to stay awake until 9:30 let alone have energy for sex. Told Bearded that if he wants sex he's got to catch me when I get home from work and still have some energy left in me. It's not that I don't like sex, I love sex, it's that I don't have the energy for it - hopefully once my issues are gone and I'm able to get in all my Protein, I'll have more energy. Right now I'd say - no, it hasn't improved my sex drive. I do believe, though, as I see the weight loss and start to feel better about my body image, that I will start to feel sexier which in turn may improve my sex drive.

Yes, he's just adorable ... :thumbup1: You need to make your font larger - us old folks can barely read it!!!

Want2 -- that is AWESOME. I have an appt. with my PCP in August and I'm hoping for the same result...I only started having high BP about 6 months ago so hoping by having taken off 28 lbs so far and hopefully more by my August appt. that my BP will be low and he won't find a need for me to stay on it. I feel sorry for your daughter - that has to really hurt - plus not being able to swim - that's even worse -- could you possibly wrap it in saran wrap and then tape all around it to keep the Water out?

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 Frozen sf pudding is like eating ice cream. I also made egg drop soup with tofu - it was very tasty. If you're going to eat a lot of soup, it is probably best to get the low sodium so you don't retain any water. If I think of anything else, I'll let you know.

Congratulations Pedro - that is a fantastic weight loss -- I will look forward to seeing more posts from you and any hints you might have for us "newbies"

Clears definitely suck and not getting to chew isn't much fun either. When I was on fulls - almost ready to move to mushies, I was cutting up some celery -- I cut a little piece - chewed it and then spit it out ... it helped get me through a "craving" for texture. Hang in there, this too shall pass!!

That's awesome Judy -- and she'll recover sooner with just having the stent than having to have bypass - my dad had one last year and it made a world of difference. Get a good night's sleep I'm sure the stress of the past couple of weeks will finally start to wear off and you'll need your sleep to keep up with what's to come in the near future.

I bought one off those and I love it too! Put my blender away as I don't figure I'll ever be able to drink as much as the blender holds.

Thanks JOYRYDN for letting us know - funnigirl sent me a PM with the same information - I'm so glad N was able to get strong enough to go home. I had a very nice conversation with your mom while you were in surgery and then taken to recovery - a very nice lady! Tell her I said "HI" Glad you had an awesome experience and that your surgery was uneventful. Keep in touch!

How long of a layover do you have in Vegas? If it's several hours, you can catch a cab at the airport and at least do a tour up the strip and then back down and back to the airport - you're niece can get a great view that way -- otherwise, you'll just have to be sure she gets a window seat and can see the city as you're landing ... and if you make it back to Las Vegas for a real tour- you'd better let Bearded and I know!

Bad breath? No one has ever said anything to me about bad breath - what causes that?

You are doing fine. If you feel a tightness, start with something warm first and then you can move to colds. As I've said in other posts, I am 1 month out and still have a very difficult time swallowing -- this is due to some post-op swelling which still remains, some scar tissue where my surgeon repaired a hiatal hernia and the fact that where the repair was made spasms with every drink I take. Dr. Campos told me to drink something warm before eating to help relax the spasm and that with time, could be up to 6 months, this feeling will pass. Ash - follow your doctor's post-op diet and you won't "spring" a leak -- you'll be okay - I understand your fear, however. That's why I had a GI one month out - wanted to make sure I didn't have a complete blockage and no leaks.

Burping is very normal. I am one month out and I am still burbing - sometimes they just come upon me with no warning - and they are loud -- not very lady like - more like a sailor or truck driver! I asked my doctor about it this when I had my GI on Friday and he told me it would subside with time ... until then, I guess I just say "Excuse me" ALOT.

Yes, it is diverticulitis and can be quite painful - my mom had it and sometimes suffered greatly.

What you need to remember is that you're not giving up all your favorite foods forever -- once you're back on solids, you can eat whatever you want; however, you just eat a much smaller portion. So, your favorite foods aren't gone forever, just temporarily -- hopefully that helps to avoid the "last meal" mentality and get you through the pre-op stage to surgery!

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS I don't know all the details (yet); however, what I do know is that "N" was released this morning and appeared to be feeling and looking great when she was discharged. From what I know, she was given two units of blood and was released when she was stable. If I hear anything more, I will let you know. Thank you again for all your prayers!

I know there have been a few posters on here who have had an open procedure; however, I believe that was due to the fact they'd had other surgery in the abdominal cavity and their doctors were concerned about scar tissue. The majority have it done laprascopically. If you stick to a high protein/low carb (less than 30 gms) you should be able to keep any weight off and might even lose some weight before the surgery. Ruthi and I had our surgery on the same day - June 12th. Eyfura had her surgery on the June 10th and my fiance, BeardedItalian had his surgery on July 11th - and we all had them in Mexicali by Dr. Aceves. As long as you have a desk job or at least not something high task you should be able to return to work within 3-4 days after your release from the hospital. Dr. Aceves keeps you in the hospital for 3 nights after surgery.

Congratulations! I know you're happy about having a date - the time will pass so fast you'll wonder where it went.

Thanks, I just thought he was ignoring me.

What the heck is eyebrow threading????

No that's not cheating - the broth would be considered a clear liquid. You can add in SF Jello-O tomorrow.

Welcome BigNana - I had my surgery on 6/12/09 and went back to work the following Friday. I have not lost any hair and hope I don't. The only pain I had was where the drainage was and that felt more like very sore muscles. I am having some minor problems with some spasming; however, I'm told that only happens in about 1% of the patients. Ask away and someone (or lots of someones) will answer your questions.

Different doctors, different post-op diets -- Mine was 10 days clear, 10 days full (that's where the milk comes in) and 10 days mushies ...

Forget about getting in the 60-70 gms. of protein - I am on mushies and still can't get in all of my protein, although it is easier than it was on clears and fulls. Bearded doesn't seem to be having any trouble getting in his protein though - he can tolerate the protein drinks, where I can't. He also doesn't have any trouble swallowing either - which makes it easier!

I'd take some cooler temps right now - 110 today - 111 tomorrow -- ugh!