jennigan

Hey Elaine- You and I seem to be very similar! I had the shoulder pain as well, but it has subsided today. I also am feeling the gas moving around a bit, but not too bad. I tried using Gas-X strips today...you just let them melt on your tongue. I think they helped a bit. I have also been drinking Isopure...it is a clear fruit drink that has 40 grams of protein in a 20 oz. bottle. It comes in all kinds of flavors. At first, I felt like it left a nasty aftertaste in my mouth, but I have pretty much gotten used to it and don't mind the taste so much. You may want to consider it if the shakes are really giving you a hard time. I think you can buy it online, or in vitamin stores like GNC or the Vitamin Shoppe. I don't know if you have them where you live. I am glad to hear you are doing well...we seem to be on the same track!

Elaine- I am glad that you are feeling well. I have been drinking the same things as you, and am not interested in anything else. What kind of vitamins are you taking? Chewable? I bought Viactiv flavor glides, which are little chewy squares kind of like a starburst, but I don't know if I will be able to tolerate those yet. Good luck on your first day back at work!

Hey all- I was banded yesterday, and I am doing pretty well. I was surprised how quickly they sent me home from the hospital...my surgery was at 7:30, and I was home by 1 o'clock. I was in a good amount of pain yesterday, but am feeling better today. My doc has given my Tylenol with codeine, which I am trying to use sparingly, as it makes me groggy. Luckily, my mom is here running after my 10 month old. I don't think I could have done it on my own. Cyndi- good luck when you head back to school, and keep drinking! Elaine- welcome and congratulations on your banding! My doctor has me on any liquids that are sugar free for 2 weeks along with 1 protein shake a day. I have not really had more than water or jello so far because of lack of appetite. I have been sucking on some sugar free lifesavers because my throat got a little irritated from the breathing tube. Good luck to you and don't go back to work if you are not ready! ~jen

Hey Wanabthin- Thank you! I am being banded tomorrow, and have been very worried about my recovery...I have a 10 month old baby at home and I am starting back at my teaching job a week after banding. I figured that I didn't have much pain or problems after my c-section, so this should be a walk in the park, but I got a little worried with some of the other posts. Hopefully, I will be like you and will be feeling just fine in no time. I am so glad to hear not everyone feels awful after surgery! Thanks again!

Patty- Thanks so much for your well-wishes and advice. I will try my best to drink a lot and keep hydrated...going back to work is when that will get tough. I'll keep you posted on how things go! ~Jen

Cyndi- Do you have to drink from a sippy cup, or will a regular cup do? Well, I hope all goes well for you in school! Tomorrow is my big day! Thanks for your input! ~Jen

Thanks Mary...and congratulations on your banding! I hope you are feeling well! I have sitters lined up for next week, but I hope I can pick up the baby after a few days. I guess we will see. I am a teacher and will be back to work 8 days after surgery. With any luck, I will feel ok by then. Thanks again for your input!

Hi Cyndi- I have not had my surgery yet, but I have had episodes of light-headedness during this liquid diet phase. I bought the book Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies, which has been helpful, and it says that you may get that dizzy feeling as well as headaches from being dehydrated, so that may be what is happening with you. I am worried about not getting all my fluids in post-op also. I am not one to drink much already, and I am going back to work as a teacher, which makes it hard to be sipping on water all day, especially since my principal does not want us eating or drinking in front of the children. Good luck and feel good!

Hi all- My date is Monday as well and I am excited and nervous trying to get prepared. I have a 10 month old baby at home, so I am trying to stock up on all the things he will need as well as things for me. Does anyone know how soon after surgery I will be able to pick up the baby and take care of him? Luckily, I have family to help out, but I don't want to impose longer than I have to. Thanks!

Hey Dutchgrl- It is so nice to be able to chat with someone who has been through all of this...thanks again for your help. I am on clear liquids for the weekend. Do you know if the Isopure is allowed on the clear liquid diet? It seems to fit the rules, but I did not remember to ask my doctor about it, and they are closed for the weekend. I am hoping the protein in it will keep me from feeling light-headed. Have you had a fill yet? How is all going with you?

Dutchgrl- Thanks for the input on the Isopure. I like the idea of mixing it with vitamin water. I have continued trying to drink the grape that I bought (I foolishly bought an entire case). It is not good, but it is growing on me a bit. I agree with you that the smell is what makes it taste so bad. It tastes better when I hold my nose when drinking it, although I don't know how practical that is! I will try the vitamin water mix in order to get in the protein post-op. Only 4 days away! Good luck to you, and thanks again for you help!!

Hey Dutchgrl59- I will be banded on Monday and bought some Isopure on the recommendation of my nutritionist. I bought the grape flavor, and I can barely get it down...it tastes gross to me. Are there any flavors you recommend other than grape, or do they all taste alike? It leaves a really nasty taste on my tongue. Thanks!

Congratulations, Pam! I am also a teacher and had all but given up hope that I would be able to be banded before school started until I got the call on Wednesday that they were scheduling me for 8/27. It will give me exactly a week to recover before heading back. I hope it will be enough time. I don't really want to start the school year off feeling lousy. Good luck!!

They did not give me goals for calories and protein, etc., just a list of foods I can eat. I called the doctor and they told me I can drink the protein shakes until I go on clear liquids on Saturday. I think I need to put in a call to the nutritionist and talk to her about all of this...I don't know why my menu is so different than everyone else's. It's a little unsettling! I went and bought ON (Optimum Nutrition) shakes on the advice of my nutritionist for after the surgery. You can get it at GNC or the Vitamin Shoppe. They are not delicious, but not awful. It was about $35 for a big canister with about 33 servings. Thanks for your help!

Candle- I thought the same thing about the ice cream (sugar free and low fat), and lack of protien. I did see a nutritionist, who gave me the same exact list. I am going to call the doctor for the hundredth time and double check.

I have to check with my doctor, but my "full liquid" diet starts on Monday and does NOT include shakes. The only foods on my list are custard/pudding, sugar free popsicles and ice cream, and soups. I am being banded on 8/27 on Long Island. Candle, what hospital will you be in? I will be in Good Samaritan in West Islip.