Marty McSkinnystein

Haha "I wouldn't sweat your banana seeds"-- sounds like a saying. Thanks! (re: your theory, I hesitate with the "climate" of today's posts to say- Sooo I can eat a burger and fries too???) Thanks Tonya too!

Almost 2 weeks out and I feel good-- it gets better everyday. I love peppermint tea esp. in the morning. It's so soothing and nice. Everything works it's way out. Walk, sip and dream of the changes coming soon.

My blood tests were fine. They can't tell until they see it. Almost everyone does some form of liquid diet to shrink the liver. Fatty liver and fat on your body seem to go hand in hand.

Well most answers are responses to what we were told and weren't told by the Drs. and how things were glossed over. Most so far, who are decent people and wish Mews wasn't suffering are just saying they were told what could happen, didn't feel hoodwinked and even with complications are okay. That doesn't mean her pain isn't valid or that she isn't supported.

I guess i was so sick and tired of how I felt I was willing to take a leap of faith. I've been extremely optimistic now, where my whole life I've been afraid and looking up symptoms, taking my temp. every few minutes when concerned I'm sick and imagining blood clots. I had complete faith in the reviews and reputation of my surgeon, believed I have angels watching over me and in general feel that I am destined for better than what I was living. That does not mean others who get complications don't have that mindset at all. But, for me, attitude was and is everything right now. I refuse to live in what I can't have, or how I get those weird sensations (I think "great I'm healing" when I feel them). I got my funky compression socks on, hubby gave me my lovenox shot this morning which I didn't even feel. Some days it feels like a shot and some days I literally wonder if he did it. Then I get that little burn and know it happened. I have a completely bruised up stomach and I'm happy! You can't turn back. You are going to be heathy and more beautiful and have more energy. I may get depressed later but in my 9th day after surgery I'm so grateful to turn back time in essence. My face is looking like it did 10 years ago already. I hesitated to have such a positive post because I understand depression, people not understanding, or being condescending but I want you to remember most say it gets better, they don't regret it and EVENTUALLY they get to eat what they like even though it's in small quantities. I wish you peace of mind and will put that out for you. After doing something like this you deserve to be happy and feel better. All my best!!

&(!%(!&*!@*(!! What I would have done for a Mexican meal at that point!

I'm only a week out but I had heard everyone talk about things being too sweet or gagging them and not tolerating things they used to. I'm fine. As a matter of fact, this is funny, I find the shakes to not be sweet enough. I'm like the opposite. I want to add sweetener to everything.

Um....can you say big fatty liver? I did 10 days of liquid diet before surgery and my surgeon said it was big. He WAS able to work though. So I wouldn't even imagine being able to eat a full meal. Even with "little" procedures not related when they'll use anesthesia they say small meal for dinner and then fast after midnight.

6 days out and I was told if it's smaller than a pencil eraser to break it in half. I do that and have had no problems taking pills. I even took that big acid reducer capsule this morning with my peppermint tea and didn't have a problem with it going down. I am able to drink/swallow also with no difficulty. Everyone is different, every surgeon's advice is different. Don't let the pill thing be a big deal. I obsessed far too long over that. You wind up making yourself worry about so many things in this process but they seem to get handled just fine as they arise. Good Luck!

What a wonderful comprehensive post detailing every aspect of surgery and the first week. It's a must read for those contemplating surgery. I'm at about the same point as you- tomorrow will be a week- and relate to much of what you said. Love the little picture of what's our food and meds. at this point...lol. Keep getting stronger!

Have you tried plain greek yogurt with just a little chocolate protein powder in it? I was just thinking about it this morning but haven't tried yet.

I love the peppermint tea every morning and also any of the Celestial teas like honey vanilla camomile are so nice and soothing- I kind of drink them all day in addition to Water. It's so true that every day gets better. Sometimes it's moment by moment though. Not pain but like spikes of energy of complete lack of it. I'm so grateful I haven't had issues with food/taste/temp. tolerance though. As far as shakes I drink Oh Yeah (30 grams protein) and Pure Protein (in a can) 35 grams protein.

I'm 4 days out. On my list I can have yogurt like lemon light and fit dannon, thinned cream of wheat, in addition to of course, protein shakes and other liquids. So I took about a half cup of this vanilla ice cream which is totally melty because I'm having it so slowwwwwly. Honestly because of the 10 day pre-liquid diet this is the best thing I've had in 3 weeks. Question, how fast will I know if it isn't a wise choice? Will I possibly get diarrhea or nausea later. I seem to be tolerating it so well but of all the horror stories I'm not sure when I'd be out of the woods so to speak. Did anyone have this in the very beginning? So far I had 2 protein shakes (totaling 65 grams of protein today), some water and this. Thanks!

It's been 4 hours and I'm fine. I appreciate your words of wisdom and will not make it a habit. It's done, I enjoyed it but I definitely understand the concept of it as a sort of gateway drug...even with the no sugar, low fat. It's a learning experience...thank you for your honesty.

I'm home--- so happy to be home. Doing okay. They said to walk 20 minutes every 2 hours.

I know have help from Angels, a great hospital/staff, SURGEON and friends/family. There will be some pain... it's the not knowing HOW. At this point I'm so looking forward to a week from now. Haha..I almost feel like the "buyer's remorse" stage was passed in the last week- before even having it. I mourned it all (the food)... and then got back to- well, someday most things I could have a bite of if I choose. Hopefully I will choose not to. I'm not doing this as another diet. The liquid diet has taught me to appreciate how I didn't really enjoy simply tasting each bite of good food in the past and I hope to savor anything when I can eat later. But, right this moment, having read so many different situations I'm getting a little scared again. I was so comforted with this one thread about people who had relatively no problems with pain or complications. Then I read a few posts recently about how horrible it is. Since I'm having the VSG, hiatal hernia repair, gallbladder removal and liver biopsy I wonder if I'll have worse problems? Is it really all in your mind? Pain is pain-- how can that be in your mind? I guess saying I'll get through and praying might help the pain. I've gone through a number of very painful things in my life so I know I'll get through it but it's the waiting....which one will I be? Will I be the vomiter....the screaming out in pain one, the person who blows IV's and I'm too dehydrated to get stuck.. Will all the nurses take good care of me? You don't know what will happen. I've learned this. In life, with every situation, when you don't know the outcome, you simply have to have faith, trust that everything will be as it should. I do know I'll come out on the other end and I'm meant to live not just in a smaller, healthy body but with a knowledge that I'm here for a purpose-- not to waste away on a couch eating and watching reality shows. And now, please say your surgery wasn't that bad. Please.

Those are my 2 favorite.

Thanks so much. I'm feeling pretty calm and just ready to get it over with. I'll be back!!

Let's revisit this thread after. I don't know if I'm bringing my laptop or will be able to post for a couple days but I'll let you know when I can.

Hi everyone! I'm tomorrow too. I'm accepting that it's happening, believing all will be well, anticipating the pain or discomfort but that it will be relieved when I ask for help. I pray that everyone has a great beginning and as little discomfort as possible with no problems.

Yesterday I started my liquid diet- 10 days before surgery July 16th --next Monday?!?!? I've been on Optifast even before and I don't remember feeling so yucky. I guess in the past I thought I'd lose the weight on optifast and not have half the organs in my body removed following it! I did a nice mix of sugar free puddings, jellos, gr. yogurt, and Protein shakes... all within the rules of my place...3 shakes and 5 of the the mix. I KNOW I'm gonna get some applesauce and cream of wheat/rice today because that was allowed and I didn't have it in the house. I had chicken broth and at first it was like "mmmmm salty instead of sweet this is sooo good" but then came the headache. And I didn't even get off coffee yet! (doing half today) Before yesterday I was so pumped up with energy and excited about the surgery-- this diet makes me so unhappy I think Oh..so this is how it's going to be... But rationally I know it's not going to be like this because this will get easier and then once the operation I won't even want stuff right? right? Just say right even if it's not true. I can't NOT do this. I won't cheat and I won't back out. Help me with the emotional part. Now I'm starting to cry. Plus my husband went on a business trip this morning for a couple days and he's my rock and so good to me....

GivingItYourAll---Wow! How nice to hear such details about where I'm going to be. Thank you so much! It helps a lot to have some idea of what to expect. I may think of questions tomorrow. I realized the support meeting is on Tues. I wonder if I could be wheeled down if I'm still in..lol. (That'll turn people on to the surgery right?) Can you imagine the day after surgery being wheeled in screaming out "OH THE GAS--HELP ME ELIZABETH I'M COMING!"

No. Dr. B.

Yes. I can. That's what I've been saying to myself. That's awesome that your pain wasn't tat bad. Well, I can handle anything except this darned internet going in and out. Hubby was just on the phone with our provider and he's on his way to Best Buy for a new router. Does it never fail these things happen when we need them most?

This second? lol. I'm good this second. A friend's mother called who had RNY and she was so excited for me and totally into the part of it that has nothing to do with complications. She just went on and on about how amazing it feels once you're thin and how my whole life will change etc. (You know, um, those things I've not thought about while being wrapped up in what might happen?) Anyway, it's certainly a roller coaster ride but it's going to happen so I'm getting ready for the best. What's happening with you?