brandnewme

Mine had black cotton around it and there were a few tugs before it could be cut loose. I remember looking at the ceiling and thinking the worst was over and it was downhill from here.

This site is great! I like the fact I don't feel alone and that others are going through the same thing. I have been applying cream all day to my legs and drinking only water. Dry skin was this morning looking like fish scales, will have to keep this in check.

Am struggling to get the recommended amount of water in. Have now decided not to have coffee until I hit my target.

Thanks for your reply. I have been sipping water all day and not met my target!

Thanks for the information, has been a great help.

I was on 5 different meds prior to my op and the day after surgery I was on 1! The Dr said the op is like new plumbing and your brain gets tricked hence the need for less or no more meds that you were on prior to surgery.

I used to adore a strong coffee but now I can't stand the smell of it, especially if an empty cup is not moved right away. I was a beer and cider drinker luckily in the UK there are quite a few beers and ciders that are not carbonated. My NUT said I should not have alcohol for 3 months.

Hi, I'm in the UK and had my op Feb 8th had a drain for 2 days. After about 16 hours a reading of fluid in the drain was taken then emptied. I was then given a blue dye drink to take and then it was monitored to see if there were any leaks, all was ok and my drain was taken out next day. It is the deepest of the 5 holes and I do get the odd twinge from it now and again. Did anyone use oils like vitamin E for example to help the healing or did most people let it dry on it's own accord?

Thanks for the reply. At this stage of my food journey I don't get the ache everyone talks about when they have had enough food. I just have water to keep my fluids up as everyday I'm way off the quota my NUT advised I should have.

I am now the mushies stage of my post-op eating path. I wanted to know from people say 6 months+ post-op as to how much they are able to eat? I know everyone is different I'm just curious. I remember reading somewhere that half a cup is about average.

I think it is pretty standard the video they showed was from the US and they used the same process. All the Dr's at the hispital I was at have done some training in the US and bought back many if the same processes.

They used a row of triple surgical staples when doing the actual bypass.

I had 5 port holes made when I had my operation in order to close up they used surgical clips similar to staples to close up. I understand some people have dissolving stitches. I am in the UK and it may be different in the US.

Hello just a quick update.......went to hospital to have my clips out and to see my NUT. I have now lost a total of 30lbs! Could not be happier my blood pressure is the lowest since I can't remember when 122/65 still off 4 of my 5 medications life is good! In truth no food could ever taste as good as I feel now......

From all the programs I have seen surgery is a lot smoother and quicker if the liver has shrunk. My Dr said that they hsve refused surgery where the liver has been too heavy to lift and this is only known once you are on the operating table.

Hog breath update!! I have now invested in a tounge scraper and it's helping......really happy about that as it means I don't feel awkward when talking to people. Does anyone use breath mints? I know that I shouldn't use gum.

All Dr's are different I have seen posts on here where people have had weigh in's for several months before the op and have had to show a loss each time and some people that have not had to do a diet at all.

Sorry I meant that the salad was in my pre-op diet. I am currently on liquids. I was giving ypu an idea on what I was eating pre-op. So, have a few final meals of things that you will miss most and buckle down as I know from reading on here that often if a target is not met often surgery can be cancelled as your liver has mot shrunk enough. My Dr has previously cancelled someone's surgery and they didnt know the liver had not shrunk until he was worked on! He was closed up again and the op was pit back a couple of months. Another Dr will not operate on smokers!

My surgery was Feb 8th and I'm healing great. I would say in preparing for your op is to get a couple of "last meals" under your belt and then start to make a change before it's full steam ahead. Increase your water intake will reap rewards. I used to start the day with a glass of warm water with lemon to wake up my system. If you have a similar pre op diet to me whuch was not shakes it was difficult 4oz of meat seemed like nothing. I would have my fruit for lunch and then double up on dinner as 8oz seemed as if I was not depriving myself. I did this a no more than 5 times during the diet. Wrong or right I don't know but it got me through. I lost 15lbs in 2 weeks! I have a salad that I could not have done it without. I done shredded iceburg lettuce, cucumber, bell peppers, cherry tomato, red onions. I put some balsamic vinegar 15 mins before eating I didn't use olive oil just in case. It was d'lish!

I feel great! A lot of my family do not know I just told my mum who has been great and very supportive. I don't need negative people around me as I have a lot to deal with as there are so many things going on with this change I'm going through. You have to be selfish and put yourself first. People will see you differently and even I guess say that you have changed but you have a stronger reserve as there is no turning back,or, saying your diet will start on Monday when you have slipped and then Monday never arrives - you just can't fail.

.......also don't forget when you have gone through all food stages and back on solids frim what I have seen the diet will be very similar to the Atkins program to ensure you get 60g+ of protein per day.

I think the complications can get worse if surgery is not done depending on what's wrong and your circumstances. Personally I found I lost weight felt great, then gained and then felt bad about myself. Each time putting on a little bit more weight. I must have lost and gained 40lbs a whole bunch of times! That too is not good on your body. I too love spicey food and hope in time I can slowly re-introduce them over time. I will have to accept things need to be different. From waking up after my op I have not taken ANY high blood pressure meds - and I was on 5 different tabs a day! That's got to be better than anything else in the world? My boyfriend has been super supportive and has cutback on his eating and now making good food choices.

When I awoke from surgery I can remember wanting to have a drink but was hooked up to a drip. Water was only given to make your mouth comfortable as all nourishment came from the drip. Thinking back, wanting water came from the fact I had upped my intake during my 2 week pre-op and having not had fluids from 10pm the previous night and after the op being some 16 hours later before I was fully awake and taking in my surroundings it was just a reaction. When I was able to drink they were such little sips any gulps I could feel them rushing back up. I make smoothies using protein and mix with some milk, water, skimmed milk powder and fresh fruit. I would advise sipping all the time and carrying a bottle of water with you and you'll do fine. I am based in the UK and advice differs all over but all Dr's will agree that water intake is vital.

Thanks for all your great repies..... I've always had a problem with milk in quantites other than in coffee. Things like Slim Fast, Cambridge Diet, Lighter Life etc etc have always given me an upset stomach. At the moment I've tried to have milk and extra protein with fruit and put in a blender and it does seem to be going well so far, fingers crossed. I have to ask though has anyone else notice your breath smells? I tried to brush my tounge but keep gagging and feeling sick, use listerine but it only halts it for a short time. Have been advised not to use gum - any ideas anyone?

Is/has anyone having/had problems with getting their protein in on the first stage of having a bypass? My stomach really hurts if I have too much milk or protein shakes. Will try and contact my NUT to see if she can give other ideas, as there are no alternatives on the sheet I was given.