mrsto

To all who are on clear liquids and concerned about getting enough protein, Isopure makes clear flavored (ready made) protein drinks. Each 20oz bottle has 160 calories, zero carbs and 40 grams of protein. I have no idea how they taste yet, but I bought a few to get me through the first three days post-op. I bought them at the Vitamin Shoppe, which I believe are all over the country. But other health food type stores should carry them.

Thanks, Rosie. I appreciate your good thoughts This "club" has really become a nice place to turn with all of this. SO great to communicate with people who share the same struggles, concerns and successes. Now that your surgery is a few days behind, how are you feeling? I know you're on clear liquids for a couple of weeks, but are you even hungry at this point? I started full liquids yesterday, and was a little nuts by last night. The sugar free popsicles were a life saver, and I also had a couple of (40 calories each) fudgicles. Today we're going to spend a good part of the day out; see a movie, go to the mall.....anything to keep my mind off of everything. Then tomorrow, 9am at the door of the hospital. Yay!!

Can someone tell me if butternut squash soup/bisque is considered a full liquid? I'm only on day one of full liquids, and I'm already disgusted with cream of chicken and mushroom soup. I picked up the butternut squash soup (no solids in it), but then thought that maybe it's not acceptable.

Yeah - I picked up my prescriptions, and Zofran is one of them. I hope the patch is standard operating procedure. I don't deal well with nausea; would rather have a root canal

There is a lot of pre-screening and eduction before these surgeries. A lot of it is for your protection, some for the doctors to cover their ass liability wise, and the stretch of time from the first seminar to actual surgery gives you plenty of time to make sure that this is the right thing for you. If a doctor shortcuts ANY of this, I would say run away as fast as you can. There are reasons for it, and credible doctors want to make sure that you are going into it fully knowledgable and prepared. It's a life change, and not to be taken lightly. FYI - I was scheduled for a gastric bypass in Feb. 10 days before I freaked out and cancelled it. I went to the two back to back classes (3 hours worth) that were mandatory prior to the surgery, and I was SO overwhelmed that I decided against that procedure. Actually, at that point I mentally blew off the whole idea of weight loss surgery, but two weeks later I settled on the band. But I will have the plication done with the band; a pretty new procedure, but most do very well with it. And YES, it is very emotional. Your doctor and the support staff should understand that. This isn't a tonsillectomy! There is a lot more that goes along with our weight and eating, than just a simple surgical adjustment. Good luck......let us all know how you're doing.....

CONGRATS! I know you feel absolutely GREAT

Did it work well? I've read on here that some doctors put an anti-nausea patch on before you leave the hospital. I'm guessing that all doctors do this differently.

Yeah - I totally get the extreme stress and nerves! I had to take a Xanax the other night, just to neutralize myself

OMG - I'm having my band with plication on Monday, and I'm starting to freak a bit. I'm preparing myself for all of the gas issues that I keep hearing, but I'm concerned about nausea. I'll get through it; been through worse. But I'm starting to freak out about the port. Seems so many have issue with it. Geez....am I doing the right thing???? I just wish it was Monday already. I would love to take a pill so I can sleep through the entire weekend. I'm tired of thinking about this, and as excited as I am, I'm nervous about such a life change. But then again......the change is the whole point of this, right? Okay - I need to lay off the caffeine - LOL!

Aside from nervous and anxious, do you feel okay? If you are getting the flu.....something along those lines, you should tell your doctor. They will hold off on the surgery, but it's to protect YOU. If the fever is from nerves, a couple of Tylenol might help. I would call your doctor and let him/her know what's going on.

I'm so sorry you're feeling so nauseous. I know how horrible that is, but I'm sure it's temporary (from what I read from others on the site). The nausea is what scares me most about my upcoming surgery. It's my absolute WORST, and I would rather have pain than that. I picked up the prescriptions my doctor ordered; liquid Vicodin, Zofran (for nausea) and Pepcid-20mg/twice a day for 1 month. I know everyone is different, and I pray that the nausea slips by me. With the added plication, I'm not sure it will. But it will be what it will be, and then I'll be on my journey to a healthier me. Saxy - I hope your day improves as the hours pass. Hopefully this is a one day thing, and it will be up hill from here.

Congrats! I'm right behind ya!

Me too.... I have to be at the hospital at 9am on Monday; surgery at 11am. I have periods of complete calm, with anxious spurts of panic. I just want to be on the other side already. The best of luck to you!

Ditto!

This sounds great......I'm going to try it!

Bravo! You look and sound fantastic! Many of us go through the "honeymoon" phase with our initial weight loss. Like being on top of the world! I think it's important for us to never lose sight of the fact that we can weaken, and easily return to old habits. In the beginning it's exciting, and life feels SO good. Then life happens, and there are upheavals that can knock us off our foundation. As long as we know that we're never cured, we can remain well prepared for whatever each day brings. Doesn't mean that we'll always be perfect, but we'll (G-d willing) be able to get back on track & stay on our path. I'm thrilled to hear that you are off of insulin. Though I'm not diabetic (I'm pre-diabetic), I can only imagine how great it is to get rid of the ball & chain. Wonderful!!!

Good luck.... It sounds like it shouldn't be an issue.

All the statistics do show that there is less success with the band. My doctor told me that out of all his band patients, 30% will do great, 30% will fail completely, and the 40% in the middle will lose about 1/2 of their weight. He said that I would do well with the bypass, which I scheduled. Then 10 days prior I freaked out and cancelled it. The whole malabsorption thing is way beyond worrisome, and I felt that it was too extreme being that I'm looking to lose only 75-80 pounds. The potential risk factors with the staples leaking on the sleeve, made that not an option, either. Aside from the health risk, being self employed, I would lose my entire client base if I were in the hospital for weeks. ALL that being said, the band, even with it's own inherent issues, is the best choice for me. I'm pretty sure that I will add the plication, as I understand that it reduces many issues with the band. An added risk factor, but still the least invasive of all choices. As mentioned by many in this thread, weight can be gained back with ALL of these procedures. At least with the band, if you're going to allow that to happen, you haven't now lost 3/4 of your stomach, or rerouted your G-d given plumbing so you don't absorb nutrients as we're naturally supposed to do. With the band, it's 100% reversible, and that gives me peace of mind moving forward with it. To avoid all the issues with the other WLSs, if I have to replace the band after 7 years, so be it. It's a small price to pay, given what the other surgeries take away. We can be successful in whatever procedure we choose, if we keep our heads straight, and continue to move in the right direction.

Based on what your insurance policy states, it sounds like you fall into the criteria for surgery. Your doctor's office should have already called for approval, before they started doing all the pre-stuff. They should be able to advise you on this. My doctor's office called my insurance company BEFORE they setup all my appointments.

I can't imagine that having a piece of chicken or a potato instead of a shake would ruin the whole thing. Unless you're talking about fried chicken and french fries - LOL. Your doctor can best advise, but if I were a betting woman, I'd say that you are fine. I have to admit, I haven't been stellar on my pre-op diet. I was told to eat 1200 calories per day; high Protein, low fat, and all carbs to be whole grain. The last two days (which will be this Sat/Sun) I'm to be on full liquids only. I've really pushed the envelope with this, and though I've been pretty good, I have gone over 1200 on some days. When my doctor told me that he's not too concerned about the pre-op diet with me (because I'm on the lower end for WLS), I think it gave me the feeling that I don't have to be perfect. I'm not eating crap, just a bit more than the 1200 calorie allotment. Now that I'm back from a business trip, I'll probably try & stick to full liquids for the next 4 days, instead of the last 2 days. But I have lost a few pounds; can feel it in my jeans.

The best of luck!! Look forward to hearing from you on "the other side"

Tisha - congrats on your surgery yesterday! I'm sure that you're SO glad it's over, and you're now on your way. I look forward to feeling the same after this coming Monday. Yeah!! In response to your post about weird dreams, I had one last night. I suspect I'll have at least one more before my big day. In mine, I asked my surgeon to show me the implant, and he brought out hard plastic container; like three liters big! I said, how on earth are you going to put that inside of me, without me feeling it?! In my dream I kept thinking, well.....hundreds of people have it & they are fine. I was going to cancel the surgery......saw the anesthesiologist walk out of the ER, and I was afraid that I was losing my moment. I kept trying to imagine having this huge hard plastic jug inside, and what it would feel like trying to move, bend, etc. So weird..... Then my husband woke me up to say goodbye before leaving for work. I was SO glad it was just a dream. Talk about oy vey!

Rosie - SO GLAD to hear it!! I'm happy for you.... Next week at this time, I'll also be on the other side. Looking forward..... Please keep up with your posts & let us know how you're doing! Congrats!

No, you haven't hijacked the thread. I love hearing the support your husband gives. He CLEARLY adores you, and is grounded and secure enough in himself not feel threatened, or need to belittle you for your success. In a healthy marriage, that's the way it should be. You are very fortunate; something to be grateful for every single day

I love Big Bear! I live in Ventura County, and sometimes my husband and I take a vacation up there I was wondering if there was anyone on the site from SoCal. All the posts I've seen are from out of state.