OMG123

I received many handouts and booklets from the clinic and none of them discuss calories. During my meeting with the nutritionist before the surgery, she did quote the 600-800 but she said that was the average for the post-surgical diets. The emphasis was on getting the MINIMUM 60 grams of protein (1st thing you eat at meal), the 64 oz of fluids (sip throughout the day), taking the vitamins and meds, and not to drink 30 min before or after meals. I love all my documents and re-read the darned things all the time...LOL!

I was on 1000mg metformin twice a day, glyburide 5mg and lisinopril 40 mg. AT 2 weeks out I am no longer taking the glyburide, lisinopril is currently down to 20 mg and metformin (which is now liquid form) is less than 500 mg a day. I am looking forward to dropping these all together soon!!!

I had my drain in for one week. Some days it needed to be emptied numerous times and was kinda gross but was happy that it was there to get all that out of me. I also was always nervous about pulling it out because I did not realize how long the tube was that is inside. When the doc pulled it out I was SO surprised, but I began feeling MUCH better.

I was sleeved on a Thursday morning. Catheter came out Saturday morning. I peed on my own Saturday night (that, or they were reinserting!!!!). I came home on Sunday night and pooped for the first time Monday night. It is the best feeling to be doing it again...LOL!

I cannot believe how similar everyones experiences actually are. It amazes me everyday when I read posts that I think I must have written when I was asleep and don't remember. I find this site and its group of regulars are one of my best resources for keeping going. I love my hospital (Cleveland Clinic) and they gave me so much documentation and booklets along the way, but nothing compares to actually speaking with (okay, typing with) people who are going through the same thing and same issues. I will definitely be attending the group meetings they have every month for us, and will tell them all about this wonderful site. Thanks to everyone for sharing!!!

I agree with Tiffykins 100%. I was given a binder from the hospital which includes instructions that I cannot lift, push or pull greater than 20 lbs for the 1st month. At this time I will have another appointment with my surgeon and he will decide what my next steps are. I have heard too many horror stories of people who have complications due to their own disregard of the warnings. I am personally trying to do my best to follow all the rules so that this can be as successful as possible. I look at these first few months of torture as the necessary building block for the new me! BTW....I have 3 kids (3, 9 & 13) who know how sore and sometimes sick daddy is, but they know how much fun we will be having this summer and next Christmas when daddy is better than they have EVER seen him. It truly is a small price to pay for a wonderful future!

I am only 16 days out but I cannot seem to get protein in either. I am allergic to aspartame (nutrasweet) so I have much more limitations. I have tried numerous protein powders but hated them all. I do drink a cup of milk with SF Carnation Instant Breakfast drink but I can barely do one....sipping makes you notice tastes MUCH more than before! I finally found a liquid protein called CNP ProSlam45. It was at GNC and is a 3 oz tube of thick liquid that contains 45 grams of protein, 190 calories, on 2 carbs, 0 fats or sugars. It is not the best tasting, but easy to drink a few swallows throughout the day and get my protein in.

Wow....I ate a few fingers of mashed potatoes while cooking dinner for the kids today. Now I feel like there is a huge boulder on my chest! I may never try anything but liquids after this. I could not even walk down the stairs...LOL! Thought for sure I could handle a little but maybe it was the butter in them that fought me and won. Now I am just praying for this to pass ASAP! I have been trying to drink to help it move through. Anybody else run into this? How long did the pain last??? BTW, I am 15 days out.

OMG....the tugging by the main incision that you mentioned TwoBlueCats....I have that same issue. It is like my stomach is too heavy for the way the stapling went. I asked them why that one was so deep...LOL! Although a big percentage of my pain and discomfort disappeared when they pulled the drain out of me the week after, this is one issue I am looking forward to dissipating! And on the subject of leak tests, I had 1 in the OR and a second one the next day.

Thanks for the bright spot to look forward to! Lord knows I am sick and tired of milk and yogurt...LOL! I keep telling my kids and family that I WILL be back to my old cooking habits and I will be able to enjoy the holidays with them next year...just in MUCH smaller portions! Can't wait to show people that I can eat the good stuff in moderation. I am hoping to show by example what they should be doing...LOL!

Well, I finally broke down and called the hospital yesterday and asked about the liquid Protein. I was told that ANY way you can keep your protein up is fine. They said these shots are fine as long as you are still getting your liquids in too. Since I am able to drink Water or tea in volume, I am fine. The liquid protein is VERY sweet (splenda) and thick, but still easier for me. One tube is 52 grams of protein so I just take a sip or two a couple times a day to spread it out. Hope this helps!

I am 9 days out and although I am able to drink my liquids (mostly 4C Iced Tea), I am not getting my protein in. My question here is if anyone has done the liquid protein shots instead? GNC has a number of different vials of liquid protein that are either 42 or 45 grams each. I think this would allow me to get my protein until I am able to eat fish and actual meats again. My thought is that as long as I get the protein in, who cares how...LOL!

Agggghh Noooooo.....I love my pickles. Nutritionist told me I would be able to eat pickles and hot peppers again, she just never said when....LOL! I can live without the salad, but cabbage and pickles I need back someday...LOL!

The only things I found useful were my phone charger, deodorant and my boxers! I had a bag packed with stuff I did not need or use. I was stuck in hospital gown all 4 days (with drain tube and IV's and such, I couldn't switch into my t shirts). Wore hospital socks the whole time too! Hospital provided everything else I needed (including toothpaste & toothbrush) :001_unsure: PS: Also took big picture of the kids with Santa that I kept right next to the TV to keep me motivated to get my butt home!!!

What a GREAT post!!! It is so wonderful to see that we can all enjoy the food that goes with special occasions (in moderation) once again! I think that is one of the worst fears we all have after the surgery and this post gives us all hope that we can be "normal" again in our new bodies. I am only 8 days out, but the futures so bright I have to wear shades!!! :thumbup:

Hello All, Just a quick update. A lot of the issues I was experiencing were due to the fact that my chest was so heavy (from the gas) and I was too weak to truly blow my nose (TMI, I know). This caused the feelings of suffocation I was having. Guess the snowstorm that was going on didn't help. As soon as I was strong enough to blow, I started feeling much better. Thankfully, once I had my drain tube taken out, much of the pain and discomfort I was experiencing was gone too! I just wanted to share this with others because it was so VERY unexpected and caused me such distress and nobody knew what was wrong. Knowing is half the battle! Merry Christmas and a VERY Happy New "You" Year to all!!!!

Hello All, I had my surgery Thursday morning and was released home from the hospital Sunday night. The doctors say the surgery was great and the nursing staff say everything looked fine. I did suffer from some anxiety at night after the surgery from the chest pressure so they prescribed me some medication for that. Now that I am home, I am finding myself even more out of sorts and anxious. I am having difficulty drinking enough fluids and cannot seem to sleep more than 2 hours at a time even though I am on sleeping pills. My bowels came back to life last night so some of the chest/gas pain has subsided but I am still concerned. I have emptied my drainage bulb twice so far, both times the discharge is similar to what I had in the hospital. It seems like a lot to me, but they say it is normal. I was expecting to be so happy and excited post op, but even with the positive statements from the doc & hospital, I find that I am not. Anyone else have similar issues??? Please tell me it will get better!!!

I have liquid versions of many of my meds for now, except for the ones that are tiny pills. My multi vitamin is a Gummie multivitamin from Walmart that is made with Splenda (I am allergic to Aspartame). I also have a chewable vitamin C. These vitamins are VERY yummy at this time, since everything else is so bland...LOL!

I am not sure what the private pay pricing is, but Dr. Philip Schauer at the Cleveland Clinic is doing mine. He is a pretty big shot in the industry and considered to be one of the best. He does a lot of work across the country and is a big promoter of the procedure.

I was told NOT to use a straw because of the air that you swallow with it would cause more discomfort and make it more difficult to get your required amount of liquid in.

Congrats and good luck!!!

Since my surgery in on the 17th, I am hoping to be feeling well enough to enjoy the kids opening their presents Christmas morning. I am also hoping to be feeling well enough to be grateful for the changed future we have ahead of us in the new year!

Hello everyone, I am scheduled for my surgery on December 17th. I am trying to get all my ducks in a row since this is going to be so close to the holidays. I am wondering what advise you have as far as what is good to purchase and plan for now, so that afterwards everything will be already done. I have bought 6 boxes of Carnation Instant Breakfast and ordered another 8 to be delivered. I also bought 12 cans of various soup broth. I know I need to get chewable vitamins too. Is there anything else I am not thinking of? BTW, I am allergic to aspartame (NutraSweet) so anything I do buy must have Splenda in it so no SF jello or pudding Thanks!

Congratulations and GOD bless!

Well, I got the call yesterday. I am scheduled for December 17th!!! Scared, excited, nervous...I haven't even been able to eat since then....guess it is a success already. I am just concerned with having it the week before Christmas....great present to me, crappy present for my kids