VSG AJH

Hey Luminous -- checking in with you to see how it went. I'm officially sleeved! Surgery was easy peasy, and I've been doing good since. Actually getting lots of liquids in, so that's good. Had a difficult time with sugar-free Jello and sugar-free popsicles, though. Not sure if it was the texture, weight/volume, temperature, sweetener, etc. whatever it was, I couldn't handle more than a couple tiny bites of each. I'll try them again at a later date when I have no swelling in my teeny-tiny belly. I've attached a hospital selfie and a pic of my first post-op meal. . Be blessed, everyone!

<br>NapaPaul -- I'm not a long-termer (surgery later today -- eek!), but I do know a way to mix up those two flavors of shakes. I've been using the Syntrax Nectar unflavored protein powder in all kinds of things. It mixes thinly, and it is indistinguishable in most things. I don't love it in cottage cheese, but I do love it in cream soups and purees. I also mix it in my shaker bottle with 16 oz water and a Crystal Lite package. Lots of variety to be had.

GG -- maybe try Gelatin. My son used to have chronic constipation, and we'd give him Jello Water to move things along. There are better sources for gelatin than Jello. We buy the Great Lakes brand from Amazon now (pic below). Here's a link to a fellow Protein shake drinker who uses gelatin to combat constipation: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=154543103&page=1

I'd love these recipes!

Yay, Linda! I've been wondering about you. Glad to hear you're moving forward as planned! I'll be with you in spirit. I'm going under the knife tomorrow at noon. See you on the Loser's Bench!

Thanks for the info, Lynda! I heard of this movie in my WLS support group meeting, and have wares to watch it since.

LV, while I love to see your before/afters, I'm honestly SO glad you never post anything like that, because even pre-op (surgery tomorrow!), I know I'll never be "cured" from this obesity. The physical ailments stemming from my obesity might go away, but the demons that drove me to overindulge will be over huffing and puffing in a corner. I'm buttoning down for a year or so of what I anticipate will be a significant amount of upheaval and internal chaos, and if/when I reach the point that my spare 120 dissipates, I honestly doubt I'll be all, "yay, I'm thin," but rather, "yay, I have the upper hand -- for now."

I have Hashi's, and I read another thread recently that someone else with Hashi's was sent to the cardiologist because she was having heart palpitations that she thought were related to her Hashi's. In her case, he said no and sent her to the bariatric surgeon for the sleeve to help get her thyroid under control. I've not heard of that connection before, but it was exciting to think there might be that kind of positive benefit. (If I run across that thread again, I'll come back with a link.)

You're not alone, Luminous -- I also have surgery on Tuesday, and I feel the same way. I finished almost all the Christmas shopping this weekend and we've cleaned the house, and in my mind, it's "just in case" I don't make it home again. I know that's probably silly, and I trust my surgeon and feel like he's both humble and responsible, but a large part of me worries about being the unfortunate statistic. Here's to both of us shaking our heads on Tuesday evening, feeling silly about being so concerned.

I had my pre-op bloodwork on Tuesday, and it was not fasting.

Caroline -- my mom was a lifelong smoker, and when she was diagnosed with COPD, her pulmonary doc told her if she would quit smoking, her lungs would essentially regenerate at about the 7year mark. She quit cold turkey on that promise and was smoke-free for three years or so. I'd never heard that before she told me what her doc said, but he basically equated it to a filter that would eventually (with careful treatment) clean itself out. Maybe there's hope?

It's amazing how surgeons vary so greatly. I was specifically required to get chewable complete multivitamins, and Iron and zinc were specifically mentioned as making them "complete." Centrum Complete chewable was recommended, but I purchase Celebrate Multi-Complete specifically formulated for the VSG patient. The orange flavor is very tasty, and the Forest berry isn't too bad. It's my personal preference to suck on them like a lozenge while I'm preparing my morning water/shake/etc. Within a few minutes, they just crumble in my mouth.

Your surgery date was yesterday. How are you?

Welcome, Dani!

I'm eating the Pacific Organics and Imagine Organics brands of cream soup. They're in boxes, and they can be found at Target in the soup aisle or at Kroger in the health food/naturals section. They cost about $3/box, and they have about 3.5 8oz. servings. My favorites are the Cashew Carrot Ginger mixed with Syntrax Nectar unflavored protein powder or the Creamy Broccoli mixed with Unjury cheese-flavored protein powder. Don't heat the protein in the microwave or mix it directly into hot soup. Before heating, reserve a bit of the cool soup to mix your protein in, then add that back to the heated bit. This helps maintain the smooth, creamy consistency.

I saw my surgeon for my final pre-op visit yesterday, and all is still on track for my Dec. 3 surgery. I was worried he would delay me because while on my way to see him last Wednesday, some guy ran a red light, hit me, and totaled my van. I'm pretty bruised from the seatbelt locking and airbags deploying, but he said he'll be operating above my bruises, so no need to delay. Thank goodness! I've not been struggling on the pre-op diet (down ~18 pounds), but I don't want to keep it going! I got pre-registered for the hospital after seeing him, and I'm now just hanging out with my shakes and Soups until Tuesday. I've attached a pic of my poor bruised belly in case any of you get slugged in the guts before surgery and need evidence to argue your case.

Good advice! I'm in the Metroplex, and my surgeon's office requires us to be up and walking two hours post-op. Sure hoping my experience is as uneventful as yours!

*on this site, not on this thread.

I've actually read this elsewhere on this thread somewhere. All of your bones and joints have had to accommodate extra weight, and they're now shifting to accommodate your rapid weight loss. I wonder if chiropractic care would help alleviate the pain at all.

GG -- You look so tiny! That dress is fantastic! Was this for the Brazilian Thanksgiving dinner? How'd that go? Butter -- you also look amazing, and Mrs. Butter is adorable!

I was told chewables only in the first year post-op. The coating on and size of big multi vitamins are problems. I've been taking the Celebrate Multi-Complete chewable vitamin specifically formulated for the sleeve patient. I have them in both the orange and Forest Berry flavor, and I think they both taste great. I don't love just chomping away on them, although they're not bad if you do. Decent texture and flavor all the way through. Instead, I pop on in my mouth and suck on it for a while, like a lozenge. It dissolves and softens as I get my morning protein shake together, etc. I chew up whatever I have left. I bought my vitamins on Amazon.

Reading it now. It's written as a narrative in a sort of peculiar format, and I'm honestly struggling to decide if I love it or hate it. I'm about 300 pages in -- far enough in that I can't drop the characters, and far enough in that I have to know how it all pans out, peculiar formatting or no. I think it has the potential to come together nicely.

*don't. Don't blow it. Sheesh.

So, so awesome!! You really are an absolute inspiration. I'm still pre-op, and at this point, I feel as intense as you described. This is my one real chance: for blow it! I like the idea of pushing for a little more each day. Thanks for coming bac to update.

Great idea! I'm going to go this when I'm allowed to eat again!