We are one week away from our date!

We should all be on some sort of pre-op liquid plan, so let's hear how it's going from y'all.

I am on sugar-free/ low-fat liquids. I am still experimenting with different Protein powders, but I have pretty much settled on a brand. After surgery I plan on going organic and GMO-free. I figured that there is no excuse not to since I will eat so little.

Are y'all exercising? I have been off of exercise since about two weeks before my last surgery, which was three weeks ago. I really look forward to exercising again once I am able. I have a friend who used to be a trainer for the Baltimore Ravens; he was telling me that cardio is important, but strength training is more important. We will need to build/ maintain our muscles in order to keep our basal metabolism high.

Are you nervous? I am. Not because I think I will regret my decision, but because I can't wait for next year! I have been obese since I was 7. It's high time I looked as good as I feel. Dealing with the reason I am obese was hard. As a child it was a protection issue. I tried to make myself ugly. As a teen and young adult I struggled with depression, and I ate out of sheer desperation to feel something besides pain. Now that I can look back and see the pattern, it makes me know that I don't need food to be my best friend anymore. I know that I can go forward and use food as fuel and not comfort. I pray we all keep working on our food issues, because they never truly go away if we don't do the work. We don't want to be back here in the pre-op area in a few years.

I hope she doesn't leave. I have no problem with her and do not wish her any ill will.

To answer your questions' date=' I always recommend speaking to your surgeon and medical team. That being said:

1. Carbonation cannot stretch your pouch. It may be uncomfortable and many people can no longer tolerate it, it is physically impossible to expand or stretch your pouch with carbonation. In order for it to do that, it would have to be in a closed area that could expand. While your new pouch does (and should) stretch a little bit over time, it is made from the least stretchy part of our stomach and it has two openings. One from your esophagus (entering your pouch) and the other where your food or liquids exit. Because we no longer have a pyloric valve, our pouch acts more like a funnel. This is why liquids and slider foods (yogurt, pudding, cream soups, etc.) pass through very quickly. Also, this is why we shouldn't drink with our meals... the food becomes diluted and is pushed though too quick so we don't feel as full and we eat more. Ok, back to the carbonation... because we have the two openings, carbonated beverages don't just hang out in our pouch building up gas. If there is any gas, it will most likely go back up your esophagus or down through your stoma.

That being said, I do not recommend trying carbonation early out from surgery. Additionally, there has been some research suggesting carbonated drinks negatively affect Vitamin and mineral absorption. As with anything, I encourage you to do some searches about this. You will find a lot of mixed responses, but if you think about carbonation from a logical and physiological way, it makes sense.

2. pills. Some surgeons tell you different things. I would ask them and ask them to explain their rationale. My surgeon allows pills to be taken while in the hospital and from then on and he is at a bariatric center of excellence, so I trust him. Some surgeons say you can take pills, but they should be no larger than a M & M. A lot of surgeons also recommend not taking extended or slow release meds because they cannot fully be absorbed. I've read where people freak out and get worried about a pill getting stuck, but that's really a non-issue as pills are made to dissolve, so they aren't going to be stuck forever, especially if you take them with warm Water.

Aleve is a NSAID and it is recommended we DO NOT take them due to their high risk of causing ulcers in the blind/remnant stomach or in your pouch. I understand they are very painful and slow to heal. I would work with your PCP to figure out what will work best for you to treat your headaches. I get them frequently and take a prescription med that works great for me because I am actually allergic to NSAIDS (Aleve, Advil, Ibuprofen, etc). If you are ever ill and have to go to the ER, tell them you cannot have NSAIDS. Many RNY patients get med-alert bracelets or necklaces that say "no NSAIDS, no blind NG" and other things because a lot of physicians are not familiar with the special needs of RNY patients.

I am NOT a doctor, I have just done A LOT of reading and questioning. Please always ask your surgeon and his medical team and if something doesn't make sense ask them for their reasoning.

I wish you well.

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This is why I love this forum. Thanks for the very informative post, I appreciate it!

I do hope the original August 22 group does not leave. It had been wonderful to talk to people in the same boat!

I haven't gone anywhere. How are you feeling preemie mommy? I went back to work today. SO far so good. I'm still not getting all the protien in but tonight I am going to pick up some protien bars and maybe that will help. Let us know how you are doing and I hope all of our group are still here.

I'm still here too!

I'm doing great! Going back on Friday to work.

I'm Also having trouble getting in all proteins and liquids. Can you already add protein bars? That's awesome! Let me know how they sit.

I'm eating eggs, hummus, laughing cow cheese and beans. Got sick of tuna. Lol can't handle cottage cheese or oatmeal. The one thing I really miss is coffee. Going to ask my nut if I can have decaf with skim and splenda. I go to the docs Thursday to check blood work, incisions,.etc. That will be our 4 week surgiversary!

I saw the nut yesterday and I can't have the protein bars for 2 weeks. I found some of the laughing cow cheese. It is fantastic. I had to have one incision worked on at the dr. The incision was open and draining and it was slightly infected. Dr fixed me up. I hope everyone from August 22 checks in

I'm doing great! Going back on Friday to work.

I'm Also having trouble getting in all Proteins and liquids. Can you already add Protein bars? That's awesome! Let me know how they sit.

I'm eating eggs' date=' hummus, laughing cow cheese and Beans. Got sick of tuna. Lol can't handle cottage cheese or oatmeal. The one thing I really miss is coffee. Going to ask my nut if I can have decaf with skim and splenda. I go to the docs Thursday to check blood work, incisions,.etc. That will be our 4 week surgiversary![/quote']

One more thing I'm aloud de caf but I tried it yesterday and it made me nauseous. Maybe it was the Cremona I put in it.

Thursday weigh in

Hw 230

Sw 225

Cw 202.4

Loss 27.6

Great job PreemieMommy

HW 259

SW 247

CW 227

32 total-- 20 since surgery. Had a little stall this past week. Loving the new me!

Great job PreemieMommy

HW 259

SW 247

CW 227

32 total-- 20 since surgery. Had a little stall this past week. Loving the new me!

Yea! Great job.

Yea! Great job.

I'm stuck @ 202 & throwing up since noon Thursday tried to work & couldn't do it throwing up liquids even,gotta call dr back @2pm today. I threw up for hours yesterday until 1:30am &then started again @ 6:30 am,here.

Forgot to weigh in yesterday!

HW: 290.6

SW: 274.9

Today: 252.9

Lost: 37.9

Feeling great! Great job everybody!

Highest weight: 296

Current weight: 259.8

I'm stuck @ 202 & throwing up since noon Thursday tried to work & couldn't do it throwing up liquids even' date='gotta call dr back @2pm today. I threw up for hours yesterday until 1:30am &then started again @ 6:30 am,here.[/quote']

Currently @ 198lbs today , finally below the 200's , yeah gor me its been a long time coming