RegFern

I didn't worry about the sugar free items. They really did help. I love the Crystal Lite drinks and Propel is the best. I lost 13lbs. during my 2 wk. phase. I only got weepy 2x, the first night and then once when I was really tired and my husband and 2 brother in laws just had to go to Steak and shake after we went to the movies. It was freezy in the place so I didn't even want Water. They had shakes and the whole bit! I just wanted to cry... and leave! I lived on tomato soup and low fat cream of chicken. I got the Protein by putting huge scoops of ff cottage cheese with the soup in the blender and then heating the soup. I don't even like cottage cheese but it worked. I tried all the different Protein Drinks and didn't like them. I did manage to drink 1/2 bottle at a time of the Muscle Milk banana Creme - found individual bottles at Kroger. I do still drink a Choc. Protein powder drink (Walmart) that I make with ff 1 cup milk, tbl. of natural Peanut Butter, 4 ice cubes and I sprinkle some fat free/sugar free Jello choc. pudding dry mix in (it helps to cover up the protein pwdr. taste, the peanut butter really does!) Good Luck. I was really thinking I wouldn't be able to manage but I did. I also frozen sliced strawberries and bananas slices and used them in protein drinks instead of fresh or ice cubes. REGFERN

I'm not sure if you can have tomato soup but I'll tell you it has saved me. I use it and the 98% FF Cream of chicken soup and I put FF cottage cheese in it(for added protein). I know it sounds gross, but I'm telling you it isn't bad. I hate cottage cheese so this was a digusting idea at first, then I started think more about how you can add milk to make the soup creamier so cottage cheese is close. Also you put sour cream on chicken, had to get something positive in my mind. So... I figured what was there to lose. It worked, I just put it in the blender together, you can still add a little milk so it isn't too thick and then heat in microwave. I have this 2x a day. It is trial and error. I do have a probably getting all the Protein I should have, I just don't do the Protein Powder too well. I've tried added Hersey syrup, frozen fruit, it still has a nasty after taste. I drink a lot of Propel or Crystal LIght and I use sugar free Carnation Instant Breakfast with FF milk. I pack milk in a bottle and a packet of it and put in a insulated lunch box when I've gone out to eat or whatever. I've lost 10 lbs and I have 2 days to go! REGFERN

I feel the same way about dealing with the "afterlife" of having a band. Our lives have revolved around food that's one reason we are in this situation. In my life everything social involves food. We can eat dinner then have family over to watch a movie and order pizza. Since my husband and I have worked more than your typical 40 hr. a week jobs, coached, ran 3 boys around to sports it seems like we ate out more than we eat it. No seems like we did and still do. It is hard to have to come home and cook after work and it was always hard to find something everyone liked to eat. Something quick and not so healthy was always the way to go. This week we sent my youngest off to college, that meant a big get together at his favorite pizza place, then while at the campus it was Taco Bell then Italian restaurant with my oldest as we past through his town. Last night movie and dinner afterwards where they ordered fries, chili, shakes..... UHGGGG! All of this while I"m on liquids. Last night I was tired, the restaurant was cold, and it took everything I had to hold back the tears. I think I'll get better at, it is just hard now. Surgery is Wednesday. I've already lost 10lbs. Looking forward to wearing clothes that I've had in my clothes and drawers just waiting for me. Good luck. REGFERN

A couple things you should have on hand: heating pad! That's my number on suggestion. A pillow for the car to hold up against your tummy. The bumps are a little rough. Popsicles for sure. I was really swollen so Popsicles were my saving grace. A pill cutter! Thats all I can think of for now :-) good luck! Thanks for the suggestions. Someone else had said I might want to buy one of those heat patches that I could just leave on my shoulder all day. I might do that since I'll have to be moving around some. I remember the pillow from years and years ago when I had a C-section. I didn't have that kind of trouble when I had my gall bladder out so I'm hoping it is similar. I am the first surgery of the day so hopefully that will give me even more time at home to recover before I have to work on Friday. Hope you are doing better every day. REGFERN

When you say "smoothies" you can't mean the typical ones, like McDonald's or other recipes you might find. You need to use Protein supplement and make your own. You can use a chocolate powder and add natural Peanut Butter, I used carnation instant sugar free Breakfast packet, skim milk, peanut butter and if you add a few ice cubes it will get thicker. Not too bad.

smoothies ok, if you add more milk they won't be as thick maybe. Our Dr. gave us a bunch of recipes to use that make shakes. If you add ice or frozen fruit then it will get thicker. Go to the Food/Exercise thread and someone posted an email that has over 200 recipes. Also you can google liquid diet and find some ideas as well. Good luck. I'm on day 9. Really surprised that I'm not crazy. I'm mean really. The last couple of days have been extremely stressful as my last child left for college. We had a family pizza night at our favorite place, then when on campus they had Taco bell and then on the way home met my oldest son at an Italian restaurant. I survived, just talked alot! Hang in there, stay busy.