ladykatie_

I love fudgesicles, I hope the SF kind is as good as regular. They are!! Fudgesicles are yummy as ever! Any popsicle that is sugar free tastes almost the same. Since I'm about a 7 year old at heart, I eat popsicles all the time and willingly bought sugar free ones before surgery. What? Who does that?!

I'm gonna have to say that the scars are scars. They're gonna be there forever, whether they're super noticeable or not. As someone said earlier, everybody is different and heals differently. I have to commend you on keeping in such a secret. Best of luck to you in your endeavor!

Yes! I was bawling my eyes out one minute and then was happy and laughing the next. I was never like that prior to surgery. Not to mention it's like Niagara Falls! I started taking birth control again to calm my hormones down. Hopefully, it helps.

I also didn't know we couldn't have NSAIDS or sugar ever again....? Especially if it were an emergency situation?

Yes, I've heard it called the liver shrinking diet as well. A difference might also be that my doctor puts the pouch and small intestine BEHIND the stomach instead of in front of it. He said he's hardly even near the liver. I guess he assumed that all my organs were normal and good to go. LOL

I didn't even think to do this. Is it a necessity?

Hey we're all in basically the same boat! Dumping syndrome scares me so I hope I can avoid it! I'm sorry you had to go through that. What do you think caused it?

I was concerned about DS but I couldn't think of why I would be having it! I didn't have anything out of the norm, just Protein drinks I've been drinking for days. I usually get in more than enough Water every day but maybe at that point, I wasn't hydrated enough. It also could have been just pure anxiety as I've had anxiety in the past. I went to the doc today and had the hubby drive. I actually was fine today. Granted it was overcast and not as hot (thank god)! I felt good enough to drive all the way back home. He even asked me to stop at In-N-Out for him and I was A-OK. Kind of jealous of the solid food but I wasn't wanting to eat it for sure. Maybe it was just a day too early to go outside into the world!

Tricare is awesome

I decided to talk to my PCP in Sept 2013 and I got my surgery May 21, 2014. No out of pocket cost.

I only stayed a night and I was happy to leave the hospital. Trust me, you'll want to get out of there!

@@TashaB88 - We can make it!!!

@@James Marusek - thank you for your post. If you cut out all milk products, did that mean no creamy Protein drinks? That's one of my sources of protein at the moment. I don't think I can eat a banana yet either but I would love to if I could! My doc first thought it was the type of protein I was drinking (whey vs. soy) and I switched with no affect. I have been drinking milk though as a source of protein as well.

I feel your pain, I had my surgery on 5/21/14 and I can't meet my daily protein goals because the drinks make me sick to my stomach. There's very little food I can eat at this point so it's all I can do to keep myself together. We just have to be patient and let healing happen. Good luck and talk to you soon!

@ - I'm hoping the doc will have a suggestion for me tomorrow when I see him. Not only work but what about if you are at the grocery store and it hits you? If you are out when there's no bathroom around? It's scary. I'll post when I find out what he says.

You can experience hair loss. Most people lose hair in the first six months after surgery. Also losing muscle mass is a big issue because you will feel weak and run out of breath. It's hard and sometimes you have to try many different methods to getting your protein, but I am confident that it can be done!

I'm about to try unflavored protein powder mixed in with food like soup, jello, etc. I'm curious to see what everyone else says. I got soy milk and I just couldn't stand it. Blech. Glad I can drink 1%.

I am so glad I'm not the only one. It seems like more people are constipated and have little to no pain. I just don't get it! @@butterflyinwaiting - this whole surgery has played on my emotions greatly. I've just been crying whenever I don't know what to do or feel defeated. Partly because I stopped taking a certain med but also because it just has been such a challenge and I know I'm not getting enough Protein. We must be patient and strong, right?!

Is there a forum that I'm not seeing about the iPhone app? I wish the app worked better on my phone!

Goals are important; however, I also believe that goals are constantly changing. I've just had my surgery a week ago and my goal right now is to heal and get my Protein in! I can't really reward myself but the pounds I've lost thus far is a reward in itself. I think when I'm finished healing, I'll focus on working out type of goals and reward myself by shopping!

It's your life! The quality of life greatly exceeds other people's opinions. I wish you the best of luck on your journey and hope that your friends can accept the decision you've made for your health.

I can't remember what they gave me at the hospital but they discharged me with Roxicet. I haven't been using it though because it doesn't help at all. I'm in a lot less pain now but it's still there. I have a low pain tolerance so that might be it too.

@@jjinWA - Agreed. Not to mention other unhealthy pains. I look forward to less back pain for sure!!! (among other things)

My worst fear.... I'm a 44DDD and I really don't mind the shrinkage but what bra will I wear?! I think I'm gonna go with the Walmart suggestion in a couple of weeks. Wearing a real bra is uncomfortable anyway. Lol.

Omg, mine was the opposite. Like Niagra Falls and that for me, isn't normal. Seeing the doc tomorrow, I am going to ask him about it.