mannybear

a friend told me her surgeon recommended blow-drying your scars on the cold setting after getting out of the shower. so far, so good! i also use some vitamin-e oil at least once a week.

just noticed that mint2beskinny mentioned the ricotta bake. whoops...so i second it. it's amazing!

i've been eating cottage cheese since my full liquids phase and haven't had a problem with it getting stuck. just chew, chew, chew do a search on here for a ricotta bake -- it's in practically every puree/mushie post. it's basically ricotta (but i used cottage cheese --- my new go-to Protein source), some marinara, shredded mozzarella. it's like the inside of a lasagna -- the best part i also mixed some green Beans, cream of mushroom and milk and baked/pureed --- green bean casserole. you could also puree ground turkey and do sloppy joes (minus the buns, of course). honestly, anything that isn't broth or pudding tastes amazing! good luck!

congratulations! you're doing great!

just had the same thing happen. had my pre-op EKG, etc, two weeks prior to surgery (3/9) and it was abnormal. i was referred to the cardiologist for cardiac clearance. similar to you, irregular heartbeat --- extra in my case. had to do a second EKG, ultrasound and stress test. just got word this morning (less than 48 hours before surgery) that i was cleared. if they aren't able to get your results, or if testing shows deeper issues with your heart, your surgery would most definitely be postponed. they can't open themselves --- or more importantly, YOU --- up to any complications in surgery without knowing all is okay. he hope for the best and keep on everyone to make sure they understand that your surgery is next week and that things need to be done in an extremely TIMELY manner. best of luck!

seems like every surgeon has their own pre-op requirements. mine (surgery is wednesday) was two-weeks long. four protein shakes a day; six servings of any of the following: SF pudding, plain cream of wheat, 1% cottage cheese, 8 oz nonfat yogurt, plain oatmeal, vegetable juice; and unlimited broth, SF jello, popsicles and beverages. definitely not the best two weeks of my life, but certainly two of the most challenging/rewarding. i feel so strong mentally. good luck with your pre-op and surgery!

am i the only person who has not lost a ton of weight on the liquid diet? i've been following it to a T, and consuming less than 1000 calories a day, and have only lost 5.8 lbs in my first 10 days. i take synthroid for a thyroid issue and have PCOS, but assumed that with the liquids, i'd be seeing bigger losses. i am so afraid that the surgeon will think i've been cheating, or that my liver will be too large. what gives?

p.s. i told my cardiologist that i had already been on liquids for a week, and there wasn't any coming back from that

i had an abnormal EKG last wednesday and my surgery is scheduled for next wednesday (3/9). so this week, i was referred to the cardiologist. on tuesday, they did another EKG (fine) and ultrasound (fine), but scheduled me for a stress test so that they could grant me cardiac clearance for surgery. did my stress test today and will hopefully have the results back by monday at the latest. hopefully everything will be a go and there will be no delay. i understand how frustrating it is (TRUST ME: I'M FRUSTRATED ). it's especially upsetting when you think you're past your final hurdle - six months of dieting, doctor's appointments, psychiatric evaluations, sleep studies, blood work, blah blah blah. can't really recommend anything other than to remain calm and keep a positive outlook. good luck, sandy! hope all goes well!

i quit cold turkey....but i would definitely recommend that if you need the additional assistance of chantix or the patch or gum or whatever - take it! it's still a challenge all these months later not to slip back into old habits, but that's what the surgery is about, right? new lifestyle, new you! don't get discouraged if you slip; only us who have been there can really understand how difficult it is to quit. good luck!

i'm only on day 1, but i feel your pain! we can do this!