Dooter

DAAAAANG girrrrrrl!!!!! That's all I've got to say!

WOW!!!!!!!!!!

Every doc has a different definition of full liquids. My doc only allowed the addition of protein drinks and creamed soups for full liquid. That's in addition to the clear liquids I was on the first week. Today I hit three weeks and I got to start putting food in a blender. But only a limited selection of meats and vegetables and grains. You can't be TOO careful in the early weeks. You only get ONE chance to heal, so make it good! Did you get an owner's manual?

Also, after surgery, some people develop a lactose intolerance. It might be too soon to tell that for sure, but something to keep in the back of your mind.

Only if there are no lumps, bumps or clumps! Must be perfectly smooth and strained. If you got broccoli bits in there, I'd imagine it WOULD hurt a bit.

That does include my pre op liquid diet, which I count, because I would not have been on the liquids were it not for the surgery.

It's been 3 weeks since surgery for me, and time to start blenderized foods today! YAY!!! I've got good suggestions from the "owners manual" that my doc gave me, but I'm wondering if you all have some favorite high protein tasty combos that got you through. GO!

I'm feeling great! I've lost 40 lbs. total so far, and still struggling to get all the protein, calories and liquids in every day, and starting blender foods today, so I think that will make it much easier to meet those goals. I can't believe it's actually happening!!

I remembered they gave me apple juice in the hospital, so i figured it must be ok...

Cinnamon sticks! Great idea! you still get the flavor...

I would stick with a low sugar apple juice. I use Mott's for Tots. (When you start getting more nutrition, try to phase out the juice) Pre op, i would have chosen honey over "sweeteners," but I was told to avoid honey now, as it is...sugar...basically. I use Truvia now, since it's safer than other artificial sweeteners. I know the clear extracts should be fine, not sure about the cinnamon. It is powdery and does not dissolve, so might not be a good idea. I don't know if any of that helps you or not. Clears are VERY hard to get through, but remember it's not this way forever. You can do it!!!

I'm starting mushy food ("blenderized") today. The instructions I was given was to have regular, small meals with protein drink supplement between to keep the hunger at bay. Don't let your hunger build up, or you'll go nuts and make yourself sick. That's all I got.... And I pray for us!!

February 13th surgery for me. I'm starting purees today, and actually made a post to get some ideas. I don't quite know how I'm going to blend up a scrambled egg....

Ya, try hard to stay away from complications posts right before surgery. Just focus on your surgeon's record and be confident that you've chosen the best one for you.

I don't know that I STOPPED obsessing before the surgery. I was consumed. I was on this site constantly just looking for comfort or reassurance, but mostly found myself drawn to the posts that had to do with complications, further freaking myself out. I prayed a LOT. It was the only thing that gave me any comfort. I also made lists. Making lists helps me feel like i'm in control of something.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Good job!!

Did you lift more than 10 pounds at any time? Did you have a hernia repair? (just spitballin' here...)

Steady eating throughout the day. The hunger monster builds through the day if you're not feeding it, so by the time dinner comes, you're ravenous. Eat something for breakfast. Have a "protein drink power up" (1/2 of a protein drink) mid morning. Eat lunch. Protein drink power up in the afternoon. Then eat dinner. Don't let your appetite (physical OR mental) build up to an out of control point by the evening. Just a suggestion.

(CLAP CLAP CLAP!!!!) Praise God!!!!

FAIR WARNING: TMI ALERT! TMI ALERT! I had THREE consecutive nsv's today, and they all had to do with a flight to San Antonio. First of all, since the beginning of the pre op diet, then surgery, I've lost 34 pounds. Today, I saw the fruit of my labors. NSV #1: I went into the public bathroom at the airport, and the handicap stall was full, so I went into the teeny cramped one, hoping I (TMI! TMI!) didn't need to do a "twosey" because I can't reach the necessary location on my anatomy for proper cleansing unless I'm in the big stall. (I hope some of you know what I mean so i'm not a total freak!) Well, it turns out I would have had COMPLETE access to the necessary area!! HOORAAAAYYYY!!!! #2: I sat down in the airplane and BUCKLED MY SEATBELT!!!!!!! AAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! AAAANNNND......... #3: Put the tray table DOWN!!! WOOOOO!!!!! UH HUH!! OH YA!!! UH HUH!!! OH YA!!! (then my day went downhill at dinnertime, but that's a different post! Still happy though!)

I'm three weeks out, and on a weekend trip to San Antonio. I'm telling you now, it is HARD to keep up on necessary fluids and protein. To be fair, I am still on liquids, but it's been a real challenge. I was at the Alamo yesterday and thought I was going to faint dead away in the middle of it. I could just see myself blacking out and waking up in the hospital. It wasn't pretty. This trip was full of dietary challenges. It's very hard also because you can't take more than 3 oz. of liquid on the plane. :s

I've also heard that 32 (generally the smallest they go) can have some problems with blockage (what is that called when the curved part collapses?) I'm not saying ALL 32's will do that- I've just heard it can have more issues. And they can use a certain size bougie, but depending on how tight or loose they oversew, it can vary a little. (did that make ANY sense at all? )

I LOVE using my fitness pal!! It really takes the guesswork out of tracking your intake, and is quite a reality check for what you take in and don't pay attention to. I just can't figure out how to find people!!!

That's good. A lot of the reason some of us ended up at the point that we needed this surgery, is that we DON'T listen to our body. We rely on external cues and ideas. It's like walking blind. We're forced to then listen to what our body is saying. That can't be a bad thing.