katyana

Mmmm, regardless, the GasX strips have definitely helped me. Mostly, I was taking them when I could either feel a burp that felt "stuck", or there was some intestinal gurgling going on but nothing coming out.

My doctor required a psyche eval as well. What they said was that they want to confirm that we are more or less stable and healthy, mentally, so that we are equipped to make such a major life change.

It is craaaaaazy to me how thirsty I am. I mean, I am consuming between 48-64 oz of straight Water every day, plus 1 mug of coffee, at least 1 110z can of Protein, and several glasses of juice cut with water. This is probably more liquid than I have ever consumed in my life, and I am still thirsty all the dang time. So weird!

I whole-heartedly agree... that fruit punch isopure is horrible. The lemonade one was equally horrible. Happily, I only had to do clear Protein drinks like that for the last 48 hours prior to surgery, so I stuck with the better-tasting milky ones for most of the pre-OP diet. I like the World-Wide Pure Protein (chocolate), and I used the Isopure creamy vanilla powder to blend up with juice and yogurt to make shakes.

I have been trying to keep it to things like ... a protein shake or a glass of juice between meals. I'm not a big snacker either, but I have been snacking in the last couple days because the painful heartburn + nausea is just terrifying.

Whew! I feel better knowing that it is not abnormal, and the baby analogy makes a lot of sense. It was just shocking to me. Especially because I had thought that I would be able to go more than 2-3 hours between meals. Maybe that will be better as I am healing... right now, 4-6oz has me filled up, and I guess it doesn't last very long. Thanks!!

Yes, the 326 marker that I am using as my "start" was my weight the morning I started my liquid diet 2 weeks pre-OP. I am currently 301.

Oooh, you get mushies Thursday? I am jealous - my doctor's program calls for 2 weeks of liquids post-OP. I don't mind it so much, and I am filling up just fine, but I am looking forward to more variety. I think I am going to make a big pot of split pea soup today, and then freeze a bunch of single servings in my little tupperware bowls. I love split pea soup... mmmmm. That should help get me through the next 10 days.

Yeah, in the last pre-OP workshop with my doctor, one of the things they said is that women's hormones get all kinds of screwed up from the surgery and weight loss. They said that hormones are stored in our fat, so as that breaks down, we get "extra doses"... and for those of us for whom pregnancy is possible, they said to be extra careful, because all those hormones result in us being extra fertile. They said they have had a not-insignificant number of patients end up pregnant in the first month or 2 post-OP, which is a big no-no.

Mine was a 2 week "full liquid" diet, 1000 calories per day. I was allowed juices, soups, protein shakes, yogurts, sugar-free jello and puddings, that sort of thing. And then for the last 48 hours before surgery, we had to switch to clear liquid only - we were allowed anything you could see through, so it was mostly juice (apple, cranberry, grape, that sort of stuff, nothing like orange), broth (chicken, beef or vegetable), and only clear protein drinks (I got some from Isopure, at my local GNC). The point was to shrink the liver, to make the surgery go better. My surgeon said I did great, that my liver looked really good and that surgery was a breeze (mine was last Thursday).

I was having quite a bit of heartburn, which the nurse at the hospital told me was normal - it is gas pressure on my diaphragm, she said. So that was hurting as I drank. What really worked for me was getting up and moving. My surgery was Thursday, and beginning Friday, I started a routine of "walkies" (is what mom and I are calling them). Every hour / hour and a half, I get up and walk around for 15-20 min. I am not walking fast, because I am a little stiff and sore, so it isn't like I am clocking miles or anything (and my pedometer died, so I can't even give you a step count, really) - I am just plodding around and around the garden in my apartment complex. But I can't tell you what a difference it has made. It largely eliminated the gas pain and heartburn, and has given me a little bit of an appetite. I feel pretty good, and I am doing really good with the liquids - yesterday was a really good day for me, with 48 ounce of plain Water consumed, plus I hit my 50g of Protein ... only about 600 calories, but I figure that this early, that's okay. I have been drinking a V-8 each day, and I think the Vitamins are really helpful. Anyway, just wanted to share what is working for me. I hope you guys start feeling better soon.

Hi all! My surgery was this morning, and it went so great! Mom and I were discharged from the hospital around 5pm (surgery was at 10:30a --> was pushed back from 8:30a). I was walking around and around the nurses' station, and I am not kidding, it made me feel SO much better. Get up and out of bed as soon as the nurse lets you, because it helps with the gas pain more than you will believe. I honestly have nothing bad to say about my day. The nursing staff at Providence St. Joseph's were incredibly helpful, friendly and supportive. I was a little nauseous in the recovery room, and they gave me something as soon as I mentioned it... and I haven't had even a hint of nausea since I started sipping water and walking. I hope you all have such great experiences! Good luck everyone, and let us know how it goes!!

Hello all! I have check-in in 10 and a half hours... getting so nervous and excited!!! I can't wait!

Hooray, I was just going to come ask this very same question! I have a Wii, and I have been working out with Wii Fit and Wii Sports for the last month or so, and I am really loving it. But I was feeling kind of lame about having a game be my daily exercise, haha. I don't know why I am worried, though - I work up a sweat, I can feel it in my muscles, and a month in, I am definitely getting better / stronger / more stamina... so what about that isn't good, right? I am just trying to get myself on track with good habits as I head towards my surgery next week. Anyway, I am so relieved to hear that I am not the only one!

Congrats, that is so great! Like you, I have found ways to be creative, and I have really been enjoying the things I made. Organic bean soups have been great. Dr. Quilici also allows yogurts in the liquid pre-OP diet, so for example, organic black bean soup with some extra mexican spices and a dollop of non-fat plain greek yogurt (instead of sour cream) makes a great, healthy, dinner with a large dose of protein. I also got a hand mixer, and love blending juices with ice and 1/3 c. of that same yogurt for a smoothie. Add some unflavored protein powder for some additional "staying power" to the smoothie (I've found that the more protein in the meal, the longer I stay full). It has really been working great, and I am enjoying it. Post-OP, I have bags of frozen organic fruits and berries that I will also blend in (when I am allowed more than juice). Anyway, I am on the last leg of my pre-OP diet (surgery is Thursday, and I make the switch to clear liquids on Tuesday), and I wanted to share some of the tricks that made the last week and a half fly by for me. Good luck everyone!

I tried the Isopure shakes as well - the powdered one. I don't particularly like it, I think the vanilla one is thin and watery and bleech. I think I am going to go for an unflavored powder next, and just add it to my juice, maybe blend it with ice to make my own shake. In terms of pre-made shakes, I like the World-Wide Pure Protein shakes - 4 carbs/100 cal per 11 oz can. I have been picking those up at Trader Joe's.

Me too!! Today I had my PCP exam, tomorrow I have the pre-screening and blood work at the hospital. One week left!!

Thanks! I am just a big ball of nerves and excitement right now! I just got back from meeting with my doctor for the last pre-OP session with him. Tomorrow I see my PCP for my pre-OP exam, and Friday I have to go to the hospital for my pre-screening. I am practically bouncing in my chair!

I am being banded on 9/1. I am hugely excited and hugely nervous, all at the same time. And I should add in a dash of hugely tired... haha! I am on day 6 of my 2 week pre-OP liquid diet. Fortunately for me, I looooooove yogurt and soups, so it hasn't been so bad, but my energy is a little low.

Hello all! I just found this site, and I am so excited to have you all to talk with as we go through this process together. I am scheduled to get banded on Thursday, 9/1. I am currently on day 6 of my all-liquid pre-OP diet. It hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be, but wow, I pee ALL the time. Good luck everyone!