Malaika

Well, according to email I got from Gaby it is considered a thin liquid which falls into clear ... This is what she sent: Day 6-10 ( thin liquids ) All of the above [which is the chicken broth, etc.] and: Natural Vegetable Juices ( example Carrot, V-8 juice ) Protein drinks mixed with Water ( example Matrix ) Whey nectar Protein Mix I drank a small can of V8 (low sodium) last night - it tasted SO GOOD. Only 1 g protein though and I haven't found any unflavored protein powder yet; I'm going to order some on line and pay extra for overnight delivery I think.

No, I can take large enough swigs to get a pill down. It's funny to me how I switch from warm things tasting the best, to now wanting things as cold as I can get them. Did you do that?

Oh that's okay - thanks for even taking the time to reply -- I'll figure out something. This is hard for me because I've always gone with the mantra that honesty is the best policy ... I'm not a very good liar.

Bob smokes - he used to never smoke around me; however, before the surgery he started - too much stress I guess - my surgery, new job, etc. I told him he was going to have to stop as I couldn't stand to be near him - he's got to practically shower after every cigarette (in fact I wish he would) to keep me from gagging ... hopefully it will be a good incentive for him to stop all together. I even took a benadryl last night and was still awake every 2 hours. That is so different for me as I've not really ever had sleeping problems.

ROFLMAO ... you might get some funny looks if you say you've got a great cock for weight loss ... don't you think?

Actually prefer a surgeon who doesn't do sleeve surgery ... my dad may be 81 but trust me he's sharp as a tack ... if WLS is mentioned, he'll start questionning me ... got another one for me Mac? I know this probably seems silly; however, I know my family well enough that they will judge me ... especially my father who feels that at 81 he's earned the right to say whatever he damn well feels and to heck with whoever he might offend. And BTW - he's ALWAYS RIGHT!

Okay this stuff isn't too bad -- I think it would have been better if I had either mixed it with cold water and/or put it in a blender with ice cubes. I also added some chocolate free syrup which made the taste a tad bit chocolately (sp?/word?). I will try it tomorrow morning with the cold water or ice ... the scoops are HUGE and they recommend mixing it with 3-4 oz. of water, milk, fruit or yogurt. I'll keep you posted!

Never having been put under anesthesia before, I'm not sure of the side effects. Since my surgery I have found that my sense of smell is so acute that things I found "unpleasant" before down right make me gag now. Is that normal? Also, aside from the 2 nights in the hospital that I asked for a sleeping "pill" I have not been able to sleep more than one or two hours at time and when I do sleep I have the weirdest dreams. I haven't had a restful night since I got home so tonight I am seriously considering a Tylenol PM or a benadryl. I think that is another reason I'm running out of steam quicker than normal. Anyone else have these problems?

Okay - I finally found something to make Isopuke taste better -- I made Jell-O shooters. I had purchased the Raspberry Ice (or something like that) -- it was NASTY NASTY NASTY! So, when I was at the grocery today, I purchased some sugar free Jell-O. One of the flavors I bought was Raspberry. I boiled water, used 1-1/2 C of water (instead of the 2 C called for) mixed it with the Jell-O, then added the bottle of Isopuke. Mixed it up and poured it into little quiche size pans with cupcake liners and put in fridge to set-up. THEY ARE WONDERFUL!! I bought the pans (foil) at Albertsons and they came with the liners - I think it was right around $4. I'll have to buy more liners, but the pans are reusable. So the Jello-O is 0 carbs, 0 sugar and 1g protein. 80 calories for the entire box (10 cals for 1/8 of box). The Isopuke has 40 gms of protein. It made 36 of the 'quiches' with about 1 C left over. Now, I'm not quite sure how to figure out what each 'quiche' would be but I do know that they go down easy and taste good and I can see myself eating several throughout the day so I will at least be getting in more protein than I have been. Something is better than nothing at this point in my recovery, right?

It also gets harder and harder the older you get ... I know when I was in my 20s it came off alot easier and quicker than it does not that I'm in my 50s (OMG!)

I have the same issues, although the tape that Dr. Aceves used hasn't appeared to break me out--it almost looks like paper. I bought some latex free fabric tape at Target the other day when I got gauze for the incision where the drainage tube/bag was and it doesn't appear to have an adverse effect. Since you haven't had your surgery yet, I don't see where it would be a problem to take an antihistamine and/or use cream.

I knew about the Hershey's kisses ... I'll have to check the others out. As for the pudding - I've got 2 pkgs. in the freezer ready for the day I am allowed to have them

I don't know - I thought it was right after WASa saying be sure to let us know as it could help others post.

They are very attentive - however, they bother you -- if you need them they are there or if they need to take your vitals or administer meds, they come in, do it and leave -- unless you engage them in conversation. My favorite was Francsico - not only was he very easy on the eyes, he spoke good english and took my teasing very well. They are very, very polite and always knock on your door if it is closed and wait for you to say come in.

Lib - you DID come back and update - I read it - I read you had food stuck in your throat and that they cleaned it out and you were able to eat again ... that's weird - wonder where that post went ... YOU DID POST IT THOUGH!!!

That's where I am at today -- I just figured my metabolism was slow since Ruthi was having those issues in the hospital on Sunday. I opted to stay home again tomorrow simply for that reason -- the bathroom is too far from my office right now.

Shanda, your fiance will not need a passport to get into Mexicali -- HOWEVER if he wants to LEAVE Mexicali, as of June 1st passports are required. As for the people cleaning, they never stopped during the day and early evening hours - they must have come in and emptied my trash cans at least 2-3 times a day and mopped the floors twice. Plus you get clean sheets and a fresh made bed every morning. I didn't wait more than 1 minute (usually even less than that) whenever I pushed the nurse call button. The hospital is very small -- I think there are 10 rooms on Dr. Aceves unit and the nurse station is right in the middle and every room is quickly accessible.

They are all the size of or smaller than an m&m and I am not having any problems the majority of the time swallowing anything so maybe tomorrow morning I will try them whole ... does this mean I could go back to my effexor XR which is a capsule? ANYONE KNOW? That would be a wonderful thing as I only have to take it 1x a day ... that would give me just 4 pills to take daily

:eek: Now, that my dear, is gross! (But I totally understand)

I would imagine by Monday you'd be happy to even have Isopuke...:laugh0: And I'm sure the 80 gms of protein is definitely keeping you going.

Oh I know I can find it online, I was trying to find it locally and was told GNC carries it - apparently NOT in Las Vegas. I will probably order some online tonight, I just wanted to get some ASAP to help me get in my Protein. Hopefully the new stuff I just bought will take care of that issue.

The price includes your companion. The only place my fiance was not allowed was the recovery room -- however, Dr. Aceves came to our room - you get it BEFORE surgery and explained everything to him and apprised him how I was doing. He stayed at the resort with me and in the hospital room with me. The first night we were in a small room with a chair that pulled into a bed, the next day they moved us to a larger room, with a long couch which he said was very comfortable. As for extra costs - Dr. Aceves didn't even charge us for HIS medication -- he requested a sleeping pill two nights and it was freely given ... if I lived closer to Mexicali like WASa does, I would definitely consider finding a PCP there. I can't give Dr. Acves enough acolades - there just aren't. He is the most compassionate person I believe I have ever met and consider myself blessed for having him in my life.

If he's not impressed, then I will be amazed.

WOW really Tiff? Man, Dr. Aceves and his staff have been pushing the protein and that's the problems I've been having. I bought the Isopure - I can see why some call it Isopuke. I took the last bottle - some raspberry flavored and mixed it with raspberry Jello and made shooters -- they're setting up right now so I'll let you know how they turn out. Jello is allowed on Day 6, at least according to my Doc. As I posted in another thread, I bought some Protein powder today that can be mixed with Water and the woman who recommended it says she uses it daily that it tastes good. She told me others they carried had higher protein but tasted like crap. I bought the one she recommended, so I will let you know how that tastes, as well, later today. I know I'm not getting in the 70 gms they recommend, but at least I'm getting in something and hopefully these two new "discoveries" will help me get it all in in a day. I know that I sure run out of steam quick since surgery and can only rationalize that it's due to a drop in my protein intake.

Shanda - I didn't tell anyone anything -- my fiance knew, our counselor knew, and I have found out a few of his friends knew -- other than that NO ONE knew ... I just told everyone we were going to SoCal for 5 days and that was that. Now that I am home, I basically sent an emal telling everyone that I was actually in SoCal to have a sliding hiatal hernia repaired (that is true, Dr. Aceves did fix it) and left it at that. My sister was PO'd, but then she thrives on drama/trauma. My dad wasn't PO'd just wanted to be sure I was okay now. Everyone else has just wished me well and that's been that. I don't know how to alleviate your fears about going to Mexico - it was never a fear of mine -- if it's any help - you can actually SEE the US border ... or at least the fence separating it from the hospital. I recommend Dr. Aceves highly and the hospital was the cleanest hospital I have ever been in and EVERYONE was wonderful and friendly. Dr. Aceves and his staff are SUPERB and he is there checking on you at least 3 times a day, as well as Lucy his coordinator and Sergio (not sure what his title was) ... I've never seen the type of service I received in any hospital in the US. I put another post to DebKing's "I'm having surgery tomorrow" if you want to read more. If you tell everyone you and DH are going away on vacation, be sure to tell them for 5 days because you're 1 day for pre-test; 3 days for surgery/recovery and might need a day or two for travel. As for your parents/inlaws -- let them read the RAVES here about Dr. Aceves ... heck for that matter, I'm sure several of us would be willing to talk to them directly if that would put there mind at ease - I know I would be willing to -- Best of luck - and as you say -- it's really no one's business as they aren't paying for it and it's YOUR body.