Bufflehead

Unfortunately for my pocket book, I've also got a bunch of vitamins, soups, smoothies etc. collecting dust -- frankly a lot of the stuff was too vile and I had to substitute stuff with similar nutrient profiles that I could actually eat without gagging! Thanks though!

I packed some extra undies and a cotton leisure/sports bra that hooks in front, tooth brush, tooth paste, deodorant, shampoo & other hair products, lip balm, socks with rubber no-skid things on the bottom, my phone & charger, & my kindle. I knew I would wear home the same thing I wore to the hospital -- loose comfy dress with an empire waist (I wore it all of 45 minutes on the day of surgery since I had to be there for prep at 5:30 AM -- it wasn't dirty!). Turns out the hospital provided no slip socks -- but mine were cuter so I wore them instead after the nurses approved them. Didn't use the shampoo because I was too busy sipping and walking to shower (kinda gross, I know). For walking in the halls, I just used two hospital gowns, one forward and one backward. The one thing I wished I had but didn't was a small firm pillow to hold against my tummy when getting in and out of bed, coughing, etc. I really recommend bringing that unless you know that the hospital provides one.

Thank you -- I tried that but every time I do it, I click "save changes" and his name just vanishes from the entry box. It never sticks.

I'm in Knoxville and just got sleeved on Wednesday by Dr. Williams.

I was up and walking about 3 hours after surgery. Very tired and I do have gas pain in shoulder and at drain site but otherwise fine. No problems sipping my water and G2. Even ate a little jello. The Iv fluids are making me have to pee constantly which is annoying. So far better than expected. No buyer's remorse

Thanks for all the well wishes everyone! I got home just about an hour ago. Wow, getting all your fluids in is a job. You really can't stop sipping the whole time you are awake! And man, I wish I had known about those pneumatic booties. It's hard to sleep when you feel like you're being kicked in the bottom of your feet at random intervals! So glad to be done with those!

I wear a second gown thrown over my shoulders as a cape when out walking. No need to traumatize visiting children by accidental streaking!

Mine is today too -- I'm nervous but I'm focusing my nervous energy on tiny things like what if the hospital loses my glasses? What if they forget to call my family? and so on. No chance of backing out!

I tried the unflavored protein with low sodium chicken broth and found it okay but a little bland for me. If it still tastes bland after surgery, I might try it with regular chicken broth or add a little hot sauce.

I'm looking forward to (well, not really): one month liquids (not "full" liquids, just regular liquids) one month purees four months soft foods don't go back to "normal" foods until six months out.

What I would want to answer is something like: "if God gives you cancer, are you going to keep it? Remember, don't mess with what God gave you!" Or, "I'm an atheist, try that line somewhere else" but what I would really say is something like "thanks for your concern" and then change the subject.

My doctor told me, and ppl here all seem to say, that it is not painful at all but it feels very strange. Like there is a snake moving around inside you.

I got the same advice and decided to go ahead and quit coffee, because I knew I would have a terrible headache and feel completely miserable for a couple of days after giving it up. I figured that I'm going to be dealing with enough pain and misery immediately after surgery, why add more to that when I can avoid it? On the other hand, I'll be on morphine or vicodin or something seriously pain-killing immediately after surgery, so maybe I would have never noticed it and I should have just kept going with my coffee! I did feel truly awful for two days but since then I've felt fine and in no danger of falling asleep during the day. YMMV

We have to eat special bariatric food for either 2 or 4 weeks (depending on BMI) prior to surgery. It comes out to about 800-900 calories a day, and is higher protein/lower carb than I usually eat, though not crazily low carb. I just finished my first week. Down 12 pounds so I can't complain!

I don't know how long it lasts but I hear you. I'm glad I'm not seeing anyone right now because the only creature alive who could want to kiss me (and does) is my dog.

I am looking forward to lots of the things listed above, and will add paragliding, ziplining, and zorbing. There's an adventure sports enthusiast inside of me that wants out!

I have found that if I stick the shake in the fridge for thirty minutes, the froth/foam goes away and it's a lot easier to drink. For RTD, I really like Muscle Milk Light Peach Mango but thought their chocolate flavor was horrific. Everyone has such different tastes! I also like the Atkins Advantage shakes but wouldn't drink them too often as they are kinda low on protein in exchange for calories. I have ordered some of the Premier shakes but they won't come in for another few days. I'm looking forward to trying them.

thank you for posting this, I have been looking for protein powder that is less artificial!

My post-op diet is liquids for a month, purees for a month, then soft foods for four months.

It looks to me like it applies to all insurance policies. http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/careact.pdf "Starting in 2014, the Affordable Care Act will prohibit health insurers from charging more or denying coverage to people because of pre-existing conditions." It doesn't say this is just for individual plans purchased from the exchange so I assume it applies to all insurance plans. All this said, I guess insurance companies might be able to do something like put a clause in their policy excluding coverage for complications for elective surgeries or something like that? That would probably require a lot more research to figure out though!

If you can make it to Jan. 2014, the Affordable Care Act kicks in and insurance companies will be prohibited from denying you coverage or charging you a higher rate due to a pre-existing condition.

The first three days of the pre-op diet were absolutely hell for me. I was so hungry and miserable, compounded by the fact that I was giving up caffeine at the same time! There were some things I was supposed to be eating that I absolutely could not stomach. I checked their nutritional profiles carefully and found some substitute items that had the same or better profiles and used those instead. I'm not talking about having a hamburger or even some roast chicken in place of the disgusting "protein smoothie" I was given, just making my own protein smoothie with the same calories, more protein, fewer carbs and sugars, and actually tasty! Not that I am suggesting you do the same thing, I know following doctor's orders is sacrosanct here. But otherwise I don't think I could have kept going with the diet because that stuff they made me buy was truly horrendous. Anyway, after the third day, things really did get better. I woke up with lots of energy and not as hungry at all. Try to keep moving and doing things to take your mind off food -- I am doing lots of housework, giving the dog extra walks, going shopping to make sure I have all my post-op food, drinks, etc. -- anything to keep me going and my mind busy.

My doctor has all his patients on either a two week or four week (depending on BMI) very low calorie, high protein, low carb diet - but it is NOT a liquid diet.

Assuming I don't have any trouble tolerating lactose after surgery (I don't now, but I know that changes sometimes), is there a nutritional reason for me to choose either almond milk or soy milk over dairy milk after surgery? It looks to me like dairy milk gives me the most bang for my caloric buck in terms of protein and some other nutrients, but am I missing something? Thanks!

I see a lot of people talking about how they don't like protein shakes or drinks, and I must be weird, because so far I have liked almost everything I have tried. I got a bunch of samples looking at the samples thread pinned up at the top of the board. For ready to drink, I have tried Muscle Milk Light Mango Peach (yummy) and Chocolate (horrible, like industrial solvent), as well as Atkins Advantage French Vanilla (very good, but the nutritional profile is not that great). For powders, I have tried Protizyme Chocolate Cake (I thought it was good, and I don't even really like chocolate), and Syntrax Matrix Orange Creme (very good, could use a little more orange flavor -- I might put in a drop or two of orange extract). For each of them, I just put them in the blender with 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk and 1/2 cup ice water. Other people might like them more or less thick. I don't mind this at all so far.