nvr2late

Once again, thank you Babs. There are books out there with recipes in them, but whenever anyone finds anything new that tastes great, it would be wonderful if they post it. Trying to reach the amount of protein we are asked to reach every day is not an easy task so every little recipe and helpful hint is appreciated.

Babs: Thanks for all of the wonderful recipes. You are truly an inspiration to us all. I think your creativity will serve you (and all of us) well. Learning new ways to cook things is important when realizing that this is a life-long program -- not one of the many diets we have been on in the past.

I think most centers can be different, but I think they want the pre-op test results to be recent, so it should not be too much longer. Good luck and I have my fingers crossed that you will get to do soon.

This will turn out to be very valuable for you. I did not have to use the nasal canula, but I do use a Bipap machine now. My doctor had me do an at home study with the oximeter and we discovered that my oxygen level does drop at night. Now I use my bipap, as well as 2 liters of oxygen per night. Now that we have recalibrated, I have to go back and get another oximeter and do the overnight study again. Even though it seems as if it will be a nuisance, it is so worth it. You may discover that you have sleep apnea on top of other issues which makes it more difficult to lose weight and stay awake during the day, etc. I use a full face mask at night since I breath through my mouth if I don't and after you fall asleep it really isn't annoying. Just make sure you are relatively tired when you go to bed when you do the study. It will turn out fine.

I just want to add my comment that you look marvelous. What a terrific job you are doing.

Congratulations.

FLmomof2: Congratulations on your surgery date. I read something on another forum here that I wish I had paid more attention to. Make sure you have everything in the house that you are going to need to have post surgery and know what those foods/liquids are. From what I have seen on the forums here, all surgeons seems to do things differently, but it seems likely that you will be on liquids for some period of time, then pureed foods and then back to solids. If your doctor provided you with information on what to expect post-surgery make sure you have read it and understand what it will mean for you. I ended up dehydrating myself after surgery so make sure you have plenty of Water or other permitted liquids that you like to drink. Now, as a mom of 2, make sure you have a good support system in place because I would imagine that for the first couple of days after you get home, you will need some support. I am not saying this to frighten you. Because you should not be frightened. As I said in another forum today, the doctors put you through the tests prior to surgery to insure that you are going to be fine. But surgery is surgery and you will be sort for a bit. Support will be a real help to you. I also remember someone saying that they got the house all cleaned up and did all of the heavy work that they could prior to surgery and I think this is a good idea. It will be good for you to be able to take some time to pamper yourself after surgery and think about all of the good things that are coming in your future. I wish you the best. Cheryl

I have to agree with SoccerMomma 73 regarding drinking broth. Chicken broth always settles my stomach. It has ever since my surgery and it is a way to get in some fluids. Dehydration can also make you feel queasy so you need to make sure you are hydrated.

I would check with my surgeon or primary care physician about this. Light headedness and weakness should not be ignored. I tend to want to wait before I make a call to my primary care and have ended up hospitalized 3 times as a result. It's better to be safe than sorry. Cheryl

Paul: I don't know if this will be any help, but believe me that there are lots of us in the same boat. food has been such a constant companion and friend for a lot of us for a long time. But I choose to think about it in a more positive way. It's not that I can't have food any more, but rather it is that I need to rethink what I am using food for. Food was created to be nourishment -- not as a stress reliever, friend, etc. Like most, you probably underwent bypass surgery for health reasons. Just think of it this way, your newfound way of eating will significantly improve your overall health and you will be happy when that happens. I think it's the initial shock that puts you in a funky mood. I know because I also suffer from depression. I had my surgery on November 23 and as of the last weigh in I have lost 52 pounds and believe me, I could not be happier about that. It already is making a difference in my whole life. I have more energy and my knees feel better. I am off my diabetes and blood pressure medications and have been able to cut my high cholesterol medication in half. These are the things I think about. I think we all need to learn to feel "full" from other things -- not food. I'm not sure if I have helped at all, but I sincerely wish you the best and hope that the depressed feeling is replaced by something more positive quickly. I think it will be.