tbarnes18

More Protein! You should be able to get it all in! I get very full drinking my Protein and would not be able to get it all in, until I found a very dense protein (that is thinner than the premade protein shakes). I mix it with skim milk (extra protein there) and sip 2 oz every 2-3 hours, sipping Water in between. Each 2 oz 'shot' gives me 10 grams of protein. Today, I will get in 48 oz of water and 70 grams of protein, all that is required by my surgeon. I found mine at The Vitamin Shoppe and it is called Dymatize Elite Whey Protein Isolate in a big, a** container. Each scoop has 24 grams of protein, 2 g carbs and 1.5 g fat. With the 6 oz skim milk, it becomes 30 grams of protein. So that means I only have to drink 12 oz of liquid to get 60 grams of protein. A premixed Protein shake only gave me 34 grams in 14 oz, and I thought that was studly before the surgery. After I take my 'shot' of protein, I fill up 8 oz of water in a measured glass with a lid and sip on that until time for my next protein 'shot.' My sleeve date was 6/10/10 and I am doing well. Haven't had any acid reducer, but plan to ask about it at the next visit. Finally, I find I need to burp myself while sipping the liquids. I just pat on the front of my chest, above my breasts and it seems to help with the blocked feeling while sipping and relives the gas. Hope this helps.

I had to leave work to do a few pre-op tests, i.e., x-ray, blood work, etc., so I just told them that I was have stomach surgery, and left it at that. I've found that if I don't mention the type of surgery, they aren't rude enough to ask. Fortunately, I work at a school and have the summer off, so I scheduled the surgery to coincide with my summer vacation. The only person that knows the reason for my surgery is my hubby. My son is 16 and I told him that I was having surgery (about 3 weeks before the surgery) and he didn't ask for details. He just knows that he is 'on-call' when I need something. He was sweet enough to drive me to the store yesterday to buy a different Protein and milk. My biggest regret is that I haven't told my dearest friend in the whole world (that is 5'7", gorgeous, very fit size 4, with 2 PhDs, but I'm not jealous). She would be understanding and has helped my family through all of our medical situations (one of the PhDs is as a Veternarian) and she would be knowledgable about the terminology, etc., but I didn't want to burden her. I want to surprise her after I am successful. She has gone through every diet in the world with me (not herself, but hearing me talk about how great it is, how great I'm doing) but I've never gone back and said how much I'd be gaining back... (she live in another state from me). I vote for stomach surgery, not serious, with X amount of recovery time. Other people don't need to know my life's story. Terrie

One quick suggestion: I took all my medication with me to the hospital because they said I could take it after the surgeon released me to take my medications. He indicated a size that would be right, but I had a question on a timed-release medication that I thought might be too big. I actually showed him the pill and he nixed me taking it. Had to call my primary care physician to come to a different solution (pill couldn't be cut). My solution was actually to take less medication since I stopped taking it. Also, of the Protein that you want me to get in, (in my case 3 days after surgery) when do you really expect me to be able to get it all in, i.e., after 2, 3, 4 days? I've determined that this would vary based on your personal swelling. But, I think the surgeon says you need a 40-80 grams of protein, but there is no way you will get it in when you are released from Clear Liquids. Hope this helps.

Right now: yes, I have regrets. My surgery was 6/10/10. I am still trying to figure out what to eat, etc. (see my post regarding starving to death). I have been wondering if my vanity was motivating me or my desire for a healthy lifestyle that I can live with. I have reached goal 4 times on my diets, each time losing 80 - 100 lbs, so I am good at the losing. The maintaining is what I struggle with. I think this surgery will allow me to maintain my desired weight the rest of my life and control my gluttony, for that it will be all worth it, without regrets. I had questions whether I would regret it, if it was too radical, if I was too old, etc. Right now, I am working through that, slowly. When is your surgery again? I will keep you updated as to how I am feeling in 1 month/2months, etc. And when I figure out how to do the blasted ticker without an error, then you will see my progress.

(OK, maybe 'to death' is overdramatic) Sleeved the same day as SParkle, 6/10/10, not in pain (no pain meds), but the stomach was giving me fits for most of the days. As SParkle can attest, I was up at 2:30 AM, unable to sleep. I WAS HUNGRY! Doctor said I needed to get in 70 grams of Protein a day (5'9"tall, over 175cm), but I didn't get how I could possibly get that much in. Now I do! Spoke to the nutritionist and she recommended some Proteins powders. For me I need something that has at least 7-8 grams of protein per 2 oz serving. Drinking every 2 hours, sipping on Water in between servings. This means that I can't really do pre-mixed and I need to mix my protein with skim milk. Stomach feels much better, not gurgling as much and I think I will be able to get a good night's sleep. Got a shower in, clean clothes... Wonderful day! http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wRYn7Il/

I thought about this last night. Why not use surgical gloves to cook? I can't imagine wanting to lick food off the gloves, you can wash them under the sink to keep them clean while cooking and after a while of cooking, you will probably break the tasting, licking habit. Of course if you are licking the spoon, that is another story.

I went to a doctor in Dallas, Dr Hamn. Never really considered any other way. I'm not a hoop jumper so I didn't bother with the insurance option. I'm a little older, 51 y/o, and didn't want to get much older waiting for the surgery. I could go to 2 different hospitals, but picked the more expensive one that was closer to the home and hubby's work. It was $14,500, not including the pre-ops, which I did through my primary care physician, i.e., through my insurance.

I think mine woke me this morning...starting on the water again to try to get more liquids today. The first sip went well.

im impressed that you can fly someplace. I don't think I would be up to that right now. Feeling sore and full. I can't wait until I can get feeling better

i thought the warm was more soothing, but the broth in the hospital was too greasy and salty. Hubby brought some home that I will try. I have a hard time even drinking the water in 1/4 cup increment. I have to use a timer to remind me to drink it. I still feel poopy too. Lying down is quite painful with the diaphram contractions.

I had the surgery this am. Everything has gone well. I get 2 nights also. Are you in Dallas? That is where I am with dr Hamm. He has been great and so has the hospital. Pumping morphine whether I need it or not so my pain doesn't get out of control. Thanks for the kind words!

Hubby wanted to take me to a movie tonight, before the surgery tomorrow at 7:30 AM, but didn't want to smell all that popcorn! tbarnes18 Anyone with new dates should copy this post and add their name to it..... For those who have had it already, I hope it all went well... for those of us soon to...I wish you all the best of luck, and may everyones recovery be smooth and without problems. 1 ? Laurel80, Willbesexyboytoy 2 ? Kat1018, Gardinerwife, Nannieg 3- Lessofme2010, Steve-0 4 ? Dsarg1 5 ? 4meandmygirls, Rollermom 6 7 Kimber29 8 ? Avilda, NadiaLinISgoing2beThin, Texaschick,Mommyof4 9 ? Zephra, Tlynnles, Determined, Terry Frances, Brittu 10 ? Sparkle, Nsalex75, tbarnes18 11 ? Ntvtxn, Ads, CGshrink 12 13 14 ? BandMomsRock, Lotusflwr80 15 ? Chellebelle0880, Delawaregal, Sam30204, Syry180, Sunnyinaz, Bigkahuna, Cottoneye 16 17 ? Jenni80, Bryan2088 18 19 TDL 20 21 ? Jdavid, Asiancajunmom, Kalex21211, Songbirdkay, Dixienorco 22 Educationrulz, Anniegg 23 - Swany 24 25 26 27 28 ? CurvyJudy, Forcarolynk, MP8BTPC 29 Beentherewasthat 30 ? Greenize,

SAS, I went to tickerfactory.com and was able to cut and paste the ruler. When I transferred the ruler over, it came as just the url, but once I entered my post, it showed the ruler. The other thing is that I used the ruler for forums, not blogs... Thanks for your reassuring words and I will make sure that I keep myself drugged up! How long did you stay in the hospital? Tbarnes18

My surgery is also scheduled for June 10 at 7:30 AM. Getting very nervous and wondering if I am doing the right thing... I guess there is always some questioning as to whether surgery is the right thing, am I obese enough to need it, etc. I guess I will know the answer tomorrow. PS How do you put the cool bmi/weight loss ruler at the bottom of your post?