MaryMitchell

Back to work today. Surgery 3 weeks ago and it was time to get out of the house. I brought my "lunch" today. I found out how to scramble an egg in a microwave and I think that'll be my lunch for a while. I just cracked the egg into a coffee cup, scrambled it with a fork and nuked it for 50 seconds. Sprinkled Mrs Dash and I was done! Mmmmm. I'm still struggling with knowing how much to eat and find it easier when meals are 'plain' and not a lot of choices. Lots of fish, cottage cheese and steamed veggies are on the menu. Down 31 lbs as of last week. I don't own a scale so I'm not sure if its changed since last week!

Rem - Sleep as late as you possibly can. I've had late in the day surgery and I've take a sleeping pill at midnight and slept until noon. It helps! Good luck Monday.

Vanna - I don't think some people will ever understand the reasons that made this surgery a necessity in our lives. These folks also probably think that if you have a drug or alcohol addiction that you are week and just need to get your shit together. Forget about them, they are not you and they are not the ones that support you in helping you to make a positive change in your life. We will run across these yahoos throughout our lives and we just need to let them be crazy all by themselves! Stand strong. BTW- I'm siting on exam table waiting for staples to come out! I am down 30 lbs from SW! Vanna - you have lots of support from our Losers Bench!

I am in the doctors office to get my staples out this morning! I am READY! Hopefully to full liquid diet today too! I am also worn out! It doesn't take much! But according to my nut and the literature, we are on track. Our bodies are making so many adjustments now that we have to just be patient and keep working towards our goal. I am so sorry that so many folks are in pain, hopefully heat or cold will help and the 'binders' should too. Hang in there! Good luck to our surgery folks this week!

Glad to hear its moving forward for so many of us. Sorry to hear about the May 20th delay but keep your eyes on the date and make the best of the additional time to continue to commend yourself for making a good decision and just know that these things all happen at the "right" time even though we may not understand the delay. I was delayed a week too and I felt heartbroken but decided to start my liquid diet early so that I'd be in the beat possible condition for my new surgery date. Krystal glad to hear that you will be walking the halls soon! Our hospital has a check off board in the patient room that shows your progress towards the 30 laps that they wanted us to make every day. I was in the hospital 3 days and am doing well at home. -26 lbs since I started my liquid diet. I'm in a bit of a stall this week cuz of liquid diet and 340-400 calorie intake per day. I think my body is pissed and thinks I'm starving it! Shhhhhh, I am but it's not supposed to notice! Good luck to our Thursday group tomorrow!

Hang in there Krystal. You need to get your support wherever you can and we are all here for each other. Only we truly understand everything that went into this life-changing decision. Sometimes our loved ones can only see how things affect them directly and find it hard to look at the big picture. Your hubby is probably freaked out about taking care of your 7 kids...it sounds like you provide the majority of the care for them. Just keep remembering that you have made the right decision for you and your family, they just need to buck up and support you for a few weeks. Be strong and best of luck tomorrow!

BTW My Fitness Pal app has been a godsend to help me keep track of protein, water and exercise!

Tuesday is one week surgery anniversary! My tummy is ok, staples itch and I had some wicked gas pain in the hospital but I waked it out! I am doing well on the liquid diet (not clear but no textures!) yet. Next Monday staples come out and I get to start puréed foods for 2 more weeks. I've lost 28lbs since starting my liquid diet 2 weeks before surgery. I am low energy and wonder if its the 300-450 calories I am averaging per day. Protein at 70g and lots of water but 2oz of cream of mushroom soup fills me up. Anybody else feeling low energy? Hang in there everyone, I wouldn't change my decision for anything!

Good luck to Friday surgeries! For those coming up in the next few weeks, keep your thoughts on the outcome and try not to worry about all of the details. I came home yesterday afternoon and I am glad to be here. They took great care of me Tues-Thurs afternoon. Follow the instructions they give and walk, sip, walk, sip....keep it going. I have lost 28 lbs since staring liquid diet! It really wasn't that hard after the first few days!

To Skynymeby47- I have not experienced the same feeling but I would try posts on the Feb and March post-op groups since there are so many more of them. Good luck. Keep up with small sips and the Gas-X.

For gas pains I have substitutes hot decaf tea for water. It seems to help me with the gas. Also laying on your back hold your tummy like you do when you're pregnant and gently rock it back and forth, it moves the bubbles around! My gas pain is the worst in my left shoulder. Ice bags helped it a lot too! Hang in there. I am on my way home now. Surgery was 4/9 and I am anxious for my own bed. One spot of advice about pain meds, don't forget to take them! I tried to go without today and I felt crappy. Thanks for all of the warm thoughts and prayers!

BG127- glad this morning is better. I got the hiccups for a few minutes and they went away. I know its easy to get frustrated and feel down but know that you have a wider support network now. We are all here for each other. I'm going to have to get a new remedy for them now that we can't take bigs glues of water! I have lots of rumbling in my tummy but no toots yet! I seem to burp ok and my left shoulder is hurting. I'm gonna ask for more pain meds after I get my first liquid breakfast! Hang in there????

Good luck to the rest of the weeks people! We are doing the right thing! Hang in there!

Had surgery at 730 this morning. It went well, no complications and not much paid. About 4 out of 10. Anesthesia was great and NO vomiting. I as worried about that. I am waiting for my next Dilotid shot for pain. Also had a Heparin (blood thinner) in my tummy and it stings! no have already taken 6 laps of the 30 they want you to do each 24 hours. Started slow but getting better. Some gas pains in left shoulder but the incisions and drain don't hurt. Just tender. My doc does not do the swallow test unless there is a problem. Do not forget to bring Chapstick for after surgery. Thanks for all of your good thoughts. Scoot over....I just took a permanent seat on the Losers Bench! BTW lost 22 lbs on liquid diet! WooooHooo!

Had surgery at 730 this morning. It went well, no complications and not much paid. About 4 out of 10. Anesthesia was great and NO vomiting. I as worried about that. I am waiting for my next Dilotid shot for pain. Also had a Heparin (blood thinner) in my tummy and it stings! no have already taken 6 laps of the 30 they want you to do each 24 hours. Started slow but getting better. Some gas pains in left shoulder but the incisions and drain don't hurt. Just tender. My doc does not do the swallow test unless there is a problem. Do not forget to bring Chapstick for after surgery. Thanks for all of your good thoughts. Scoot over....I just took a permanent seat on the Losers Bench! BTW lost 22 lbs on liquid diet! WooooHooo!

I am sitting in the Admitting office waiting for it to Iowa at 5:30! I'm glad I'm scheduled at 7:30 today! Ready to get this show on the road!

Sitting in Admitting waiting for the show to get on the road! Ready to go!

Well tomorrow is the day! Be at the hospital at 5:30am for a 7:30am surgery. I am doing bowel prep (yuk!) today after 2 weeks liquid diet and last two days of clear liquid only. I am ready to have a permanent seat on the losers bench! I hope all went well with our big group of Monday surgeries. Sending prayers and healing thoughts for everyone!

Good luck to all new surgeries today and good headings thoughts for all of the new people sitting on the losers bench! Surgery in 5 days!! Had pre-op yesterday. All is good and I lost 12lbs on my liquid diet over the past 2 weeks! It is VERY manageable and when you keep looking forward to what our goals are, it makes it easier. It is also a great help seeing everyone else that is on the same journey. Stay strong and keep strong. WE can do it!

I'm glad your daughter called and helped you get your focus back. It can be hard sometimes but we need to lean on our support system. Hang in there. Prayers to you.

Lisa you look great! Way to go!

You look beautiful! Congratulations!

Congratulations on the beginning of your new life! I am anxious for my day on 4-9. One week to go! Please keep posting about your experiences. It is good to hear! Thanks!

Wendilou - Can you please add me for 4/9? Thanks. Mary

Day 8 of liquid diet. I'm hanging in there and luckily I do not have to cook for my family. They are very supportive and thats been a huge help. My son did liquid diet with me for 4 days...very sweet guy! Surgery is April 9! please add me to the list! I had to have an IVC filter inserted on Wednesday to prevent problems from blood clots. I developed a clot in my brain during chemo for breast cancer in 2006 and don't want a pulmonary embolism. I am ready to go and I have really appreciated reading about everyone's journey.