LizInTexas

Carrie, my commentary was directed at Kiwi/Nancy, not at you, as my commentary did not reference any specific brand of protein drink. Kiwi/Nancy was asking about consuming NO protein. I didn't think it necessary to specify who I was replying to, but obviously I was mistaken.

I'm a few days away from my surgery still but I've spent the last few weeks, and will be spending the next week, preparing for my protein requirements post surgery. Your body MUST have protein to survive. Your body must have protein in order to repair and rejuveniate itself. Every single muscle, including your HEART muscle must have protein to maintain proper function. I'm making popcicles with unflavored protein and various mixers, protein shake smoothie popcicles, chicken and beef stock loaded with protein, and will be coming up with a few more ways to consume protein ! I'm counting on my surgeon to do his part and it's my responsibility to do MY part to make sure that my recovery goes as well as possible so that I won't feel like total crap for weeks (or worse !). I'll deal with the not so pleasant tasting stuff if it will serve the purpose of healing and strenghtening my body as fast possible whether I'm sick of it or not. As an adult somtimes you just gotta suck it up and get it done whether you like it or not ! I don't mean to be rude and I'm not trying to be mean, but just try cutting out protein and see how crappy you feel and how slowly you heal. If I sound rather "passionate" about this subject, it's because I'm watching my Aunt (the only family I have left) waste away because of a liver disease that causes her body to not be able to process protein. She's gone from vibrant and full of life to weak, wobbly, and absolutely exhausted all the time in 3 months. I intend no offense.

I, too, am filled with gallstones. I have suffered the wicked, wicked attacks for a little over two years now and come surgery day, that little bugger is getting cut out right along with most of my stomach and I can't wait !!! I'm almost more excited about being rid of my gallbladder than I am getting sleeved (almost !). The attacks will just get worse, and eventually, if left alone, your gallbladder can rupture and it can be a very life threatening event ! I told my surgeon that I probably didn't need to do a pre-op diet since my spleen was already removed years ago, and he's taking my gallbladder out so it ought to be downright roomy in there when he goes after my stomach !!! He didn't agree... I'm a week into my pre-op diet, and his is really lenient, so it's been a piece of, uh.... asparagus I was a little bad today though. Was my best friends birthday so I had a martini with half a dozen blue point oysters !!! OMG it was so good, and I could have been so much more naughty !!! Hang in there, I know the pain is awful but gallbladder surgery is worth it to be rid of the pain !

September 18th @ East Texas Medical Center - Dr. Hugh Babineau Both excited and very nervous !!!

Also, if up under the "girls" tends to break out or be all sweaty anti perspirant works great there too ! And not having to wear a slip under a sundress in 110 degree heat because of feeling the terror that someone might be able to see through my skirt it if I stand in the bright light !

My preop diet is supposed to be Protein shakes/bars and lean/green for dinner so I'm thinking the purchase of a green champagne flute and some yummy cheese (hey, it's protein and I'll buy lower fat !) will keep me from being a liar when my surgeon asks if I cheated ! STELLAR idea Iggy!!! :wub:

I'm SO glad to hear this !!! This coming weekend is my "food funeral" weekend (start liquid diet tuesday). I wanted king crab legs and prime rib for my final "fatty" dinner and it isn't gonna happen ... So.... I went out today and bought myself 2 nice bottles of champagne instead !! I'm self pay for my surgery and my "discretionary fund" is now an invisible fund so I won't be having a couple bottles of Dom, but Moet will have to do... Figure it beats the hell outta Andre (but then, what doesn't ! )

Angela, my surgeon also has this same schedule and I am also going to slow it down. I just don't see how a long staple line can be healed enough for "anything you want' at 3 weeks. I'm just not going to take the chance....

Thanks so much for posting ! My mind is racing with the "what if's" and even though I don't expect it to completely stop, with every post like this I read, I gain a little more peace of mind. I'm a total worry wart, triple check what I've already double checked, and try to plan ahead for any possible scenario. If my pants wern't already so tight I'd be a belt and suspenders kinda girl so that if my belt broke my suspenders would keep my pants from falling down ! I know that a positive attitude is the key to success, but with my surgery only 3 weeks away, I'm positive that my attitude isn't positive enough ! I'm hopeful and horrified all in the same second....

I so agree with bread being a gateway food ! I'm still preop but have heard that bread does not sit well with most sleevers, and truly, that saddens me, almost as much as the no carbonation thing (no more champagne either !). I don't eat bread very often, but once in a blue moon I so enjoy a fresh, hot from the oven croissant. My surgeon's food plan is very generous, a little too generous I think, so I'm going to slow is down a bit... He only requires liquids (clear or full) for one week after surgery, and mushies for week 2. Anything you want week 3. I don't see how a very long staple line could be healed enough for "anything you want" after only 2 weeks and I'm not taking any chances with screwing something up and ending up having to go back to the hospital... I've got the rest of my life to eat so I won't be rushing my recovery ! It's just too crucial a time... I know it won't be easy, but I'll suffer through it to keep from suffering long term problems...

To the hospital September 18th @ 5:15 am ! (surgery @ 7:15) 2 week liquid diet but lean & green for dinner, my choice. My surgeon says liquid (clear or full) immediate post op, then mushies 1 week out, but think I'm gonna slow that down a bit. Just sounds like a little too fast of a progression and I'm NOT taking any chances

Wow they should pull that stuff off the market !!! My mother took it once or twice and she was absolutely certain that there were cats under her bed (she had no cats !) and she had a nice long conversation with her mother (who had been dead for 15 years !) Gotta be something better than that wicked stuff....

They measured my height on the very first visit and made me take off my shoes before I got on the scale. Some do let you keep your shoes on so I guess it just depends on the individual...

I, too, am very interested in who your surgeon was and which hospital you've been treated at.

OMG I can't believe all that you have been through ! You've certainly been more patient that I would have been because the second time that the surgeon "stonewalled" me, or the ER blew me off again, they would both have received a letter (or even a visit) from a malpractice lawyer naming anyone who had touched me as "potential" defendants if they didn't get off their collective azzes and DO SOMETHING !!! You hang in there as best you can, and I will certainly be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers... I'm scheduled for September 18th and I'm self pay because I have no insurance... Definately going to have to do alot more soul searching before I write the check...

LOL... this is a great thread I'm looking forward to the day when I can stop worrying about starting a fire because of all the friction created by my thighs rubbing together when I walk. Not having to shift around in each direction put my socks on and tie my shoes. Not having to chase down sales people who ignore me after they've clearly noticed me (invisible me!) Not getting "those" looks of disgust and pity (ewwww, but bless her heart, poor thing). Not having to strategize on where to go/where to sit/how to fit. Being able to finally tell my significant other that if he doesn't want me, then someone else will (and know it) Not being paralized with fear that the airline will make me buy a second seat And last but certainly not least, not having to end another friendship because I overheard them tell my significant other that he could do SO much better than me! (but at least I never have to hear her say "I'd commit suicide if I ever got fat" again....)

Absolutely correct. If she hasn't ever been morbidly obese, she has no idea what it's like. Personally, I've always made it a strict policy NOT to give advice on things I know nothing about. I find that most of the time in this situation that a friend is just looking for a shoulder to lean on, not unsolicited advice. I can still support them even if I don't agree with them. It's not my place to push my opinion on them, unless they specifically ask for my opinion, and my friends know that I'm a shoot from the hip kinda girl, though I'm never unkind as so many have been to me simply because I'm obese.

Gotcha in my address book tautry !

This is exactly why I'm not going to tell anyone (other than those who are VERY close to me that I see or talk to on a daily basis and that's 3 people), at least not until they start asking how I'm losing weight, and even then it's just going to depend on who they are as to what I tell them. After all, telling them that I'm eating much smaller portions and exercising isn't a lie I have enough doubts and fears without any outside influence, and I have judged myself enough to last a lifetime... Hang in there

Hmmm, my thoughts exactly... I don't have anyone trying to talk me out of it, but indifference from those you rely on for support can be just as detramental.

Keep these great posts coming !!! I'm scheduled in 6 weeks and the fear and anxiety is already building...

Tautry, he was going to be my next stop if surgeon #3 didn't feel right... I like his credentials and many years of experience for sure I'm sure he stays plenty busy without advertising too...