eacarpenter

Hi! My name is Beth and I am scheduled for my gastric bypass on September 10th, 2014. I am looking for friends that would like to keep in touch to help each other thru this whole process. I have only been able to go to one support group meeting because of my hours at work (and honestly...it wasn't quite what I thought it would be). I am trying to get healthier now to continue after the surgery. I have lost 25+ lbs in the 6 months my insurance made me wait and have worked up to walking 5 miles 2-3 times a week and 2 miles the rest of the days. I am also trying to stay away from the computer as much as possible. So, if anyone is interested in having a friend to text or a FaceBook friend that is going thru the same things you are...please feel free to let me know!! I have also have done something crazy, but motivational at the same time...and it will encourage me to get back into exercise full-force when I am able to after surgery. I have signed up to walk the Disney Half-Marathon on January 10th (exactly four months after my surgery) to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Foundation! Is anyone else willing to join me???

My NUT and MD said wait at least 4 weeks post-op to give tummy a time to heal, because of the acidic nature of coffee. I am 3 weeks post-op and drank 4 oz of Breakfast Blend coffee (weakened slightly) with 1 Truvia packet and some sugar free creamer yesterday...no ill effects whatsoever. (I was drinking 8-12 cups a day pre-op)

OK...here are a few of the Protein shake recipes I have. They are good all thru the pre-op diet stage, and from the full liquid post-op diet stage (and forever to increase protein). You can alter the consistency by adding more or less ice cubes or liquid. You can replace the ice cubes with frozen fruit for a creamier consistency. Frozen chocolate banana 6 oz Water 4 ice cubes 2 scoops chocolate Protein powder 1/2 banana strawberry Cream 6 oz fat free milk (or Lactaid, light soy milk, or Almond Milk -unsweetened) 4 ice cubes 2 scoops vanilla PP 1 tsp sugar-free strawberry Jello mix Chocolate Covered Strawberry 6 oz water 6-8 frozen strawberries 2 scoops chocolate PP Peach Perfection 6 oz water 4 ice cubes 2 scoops vanilla PP 1/2 cup canned (in 100% juice) or fresh peaches Mounds Bar (one of my favorites!) 6 oz fat free milk (Lactaid / light soy / almond milk-unsweetened) 4 ice cubes 2 scoops chocolate PP 1 tsp cocnut extract Banana Cream Pie 6 oz water 4 ice cubes 2 scoops vanilla PP 1 tsp sugar-free banana pudding mix Cafe Mocha 6 oz fat free milk 4 ice cubes 2 scoops latte PP 1 tsp sugar-free chocolate pudding mix Pina Colada 6 oz water 4 ice cubes 2 scoops vanilla PP 1/2 cup pineapple chunks 1 tsp coconut extract Orange Creamsicle 6 oz fat-free milk 4 ice cubes 2 scoops vanilla PP 1 tsp sugar-free orange jello mix Rasberry Banana Blast 6 oz water 4 ice cubes 2 scoops vanilla PP 1/2 banana 1 packet of rasberry crystal light Cherry Cheesecake 6 oz water 1/2 cup frozen cherries 2 scoops vanilla PP 1 tsp sugar free cheesecake pudding mix More to come when I have more time...enjoy!

Oh my...have you thought possibly about Dr Joel Sebastien in Daytona Beach? I am almost 3 weeks out from a Roux-En-Y and I only have 5 (less than 1 inch) incisions from laproscopic surgery...and he is absolutely awesome! I am not sure about the insurance though...but I would definitely reseach more and find someone to do it laproscopically! (My weight at surgery was 310...now I am almost 40lbs down after only 3 weeks...my MD and NUT say this is mainly due to being able to get up and walk so quickly)

Alibye...so glad you are feeling better! Please be careful with the temp of the unjury...it cannot go over 140 degrees. I have found that with a thermometer, I can get mine to 138 degrees before it clumps...and it mixes so much better when it is cold. FYI...my MD says I can't swim til after one month check up...bummer, I really wanted to go to the waterpark this past weekend....

I was given liquid hydrocodone/APAP 7.5 - 325mg...only 1 weeks worth though. And yes, I was warned about taking the Protonix well away from all Vitamins. I was taking Pepcid before the surgery (as an antihistamine because I have many food allergies), but was told to stop the Pepcid (I stil take Zyrtec daily for the allergies) and start the Protonix, which I have to continue for 4 months. The Protonix was small enough it went down ok from the 2nd day with pudding (now with water), but I did crush a few pain pills after the first week of liquid was gone. (I have back injuries from a car accident made worse by my weight, but I'm getting off those asap too, cuz I am definitely going to make the most of this new chance I have been given!) Like everyone says, it is just a tool...we do with it what we can. I know several people who have stretched their pouch and gained back all their weight...unfortunately, I work with them and they were not very supportive of my choice...but we are all different people, all with different thoughts and ideas about our past, our present, and our future. We CAN make this work...but its fully up to us!!

I was able to eat pudding since the 2nd day after surgery (I added unjury unflavored Protein powder too) Isopure Water frozen into popsicles is good for protein too. I am trying to keep an average of 80 grams of protein daily (WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN...it helps so much!!!) I also craved egg an tuna salad! I was able to start them both after 1 week, but opted out of the egg salad after 1st try. So, since 1 week out...tuna mixed with reg mayo and heated slightly with some shredded cheese is my friend now, as well as pureed chicken (in a can like tuna), mixed with pureed Tuscan-flavored broccoli (frozen Green Giant in a bag), and mixed with cheesy salsa. So good and has an actual flavor!! I also have marinated, baked chicken breast and chopped it super fine with scissors and mixed with some reg mayo for a chicken salad with flavor. With all that said...I feel like I'm dong something right...I had surgery 9/10, so I'm 17 days out now, have managed 3 Multivitamins, 4 Calcium, and a B12 every day since 1 week out...and as of today I have went from 310 lbs immediately before surgery to 274 as of today! 36 lbs in 17 days...YIPPEE!!! It's not easy...but soooo worth it every day! Good luck everyone!!

I would definitely check with your Dr! My Dr gave me Protonix (pantoprazole) to start the day of surgery. It heals heal any ulcerations that can form. That has been a big help for me as I also have to take high doses of blood thinners and don't care for any further internal bleeding. I was able to tolerate small sips of liquids since the day after surgery and moved to pureed foods after 1 week. Granted I did not get much down the first week, and honestly, Lactaid milk, sips of Water (from a bottle...I could not do tap water at all), and my pain meds were definitely my best friends for that first week.

Thanks for all the support for the Marathon...but I had to drop out because I wasn't able to make my training goals (or fundraising goals) in time. But Jolisue, I am definitely NOT a runner...just a walker. I'm taking my baby steps to get further each day! And Nurselori...I still cannot figure out how to get the attachment to save and post here, but as soon as I have a few minutes I will post them on here one at a time for you. Hope everyone is doing well! (I went with my mom to Artlando in the park yesterday...had a great time...started feeling really bad after about 2 hrs of walking...then when I got back to the car I realized I had walked 6.3 miles...OMG...no wonder!!)

Sure Nurselori...just as soon as I figure out how to get them here...lol (3 pages)

Hi Alora! How are you doing? How was your first week? Any issues with getting enough Protein or walking? I am finally starting to feel better (surgery 9/10) now. I am up to walking 1.2 - 1.4 miles a day now (only 2 days so far, but hey...its a start lol). Sounds kinda dumb...but I got thru my first sneeze this morning...felt like my insides came out but nothing serious really happened lol. I still can't get anywhere near my necessary protein or fluids in...but am managing to get all my Vitamins finally...and some real food. Yippee! My favorite I have found is pureed Tyson chicken (in a can with the water) mixed with pureed Tuscan Broccoli (frozen) and mixed with Cheesy Salsa. OMGoodness, it is sooo good after not being able to eat!! Hoping and praying everyone is doing well!

Hi everyone! I had my surgery a week ago today. I have been pretty miserable since...but I had a rough time with things right before and right after surgery (they said my record said I was allergic to morphine, but I'm not...and no one changed it, I said NO Dilaudid or Oxycodone...thay gave me both an wouldn't call the Dr to change it, I swear my CNA was on drugs, they booted me out when I wasn't ready...and told them at least 5 times)...it has been pretty rough. But...I have lost 21.1 lbs and feeling ok today! And so very glad I had my mom with me thru everything

I know! It's like we waited for soooo long for the days to pass and it's so close now! I getting really excited and a little nervous. I think I'm more nervous because I have to work until 6 hrs before my surgery (Wednesday morning YAY!), and there are still things I want done or need to do...and not enough time to do them now. (or not enough money). Plus I am having the last minute "food cravings"...but my Dr warned me not to due to the necessity for liver-shrinking to make the surgery easier and to have a better recovery. (But buffalo wings are definitely calling me lol)

I am getting more into my pre-op diet and actually enjoying my shakes now. My NUT gave me a list of recipes and they are awesome (Ginersnap--my favorite!--, Blueberry Muffin, banana Cream Pie...yummy!). I work nights, so I do find it hard to plan when to eat (especially if I have an appt and it messes up my sleep cuz then I'm hungry). 4 more days left...I'm so excited!!! How is everyone else doing this week?

Yes, I started it a week ago. I have been miserable. Hungry, tired, craving everything...an my tummy is not liking the shakes too well at all. I am finding it really hard to keep up my walking traing too, which is the worst...I just wanna sleep this week away. lol But...instead I asked for OT at work to try an keep myself occupied,motivated, and have some extra money. How are you doing so far?

I agree...none of their business! If they can't be there for you when you need them...they should not have their nose in any of your private affairs....and should only be allowed to voice their opinion when asked to do so. Good luck in your choices and my prayers are with you and your family!

Mine is September 10th!

Hi everyone! I'm not scheduled til Sep 10th, but wanted to say hello and wish you all the best! Hope we can turn this into an Aug-Sep area so the Sep's can learn from the Aug's. lol I'm 41, having the full gastric bypass, had to wait 6 months cuz of insurance (but kinda glad now), had 4 open lower abdomen surgeries (all in the 90's), am scared and excited...but so ready! Would love to keep up with everyone here...I work nights and our only support groups here are at night, and the boss is not supportive of this at all to even try an schedule me off that day once a month (neither is my PCP, but that's another story!) My biggest problem right now is 2 people I work closely with have had the same surgery and gained almost all their weight back, so they are constantly talking bad about it, trying to talk me out of it, downing me for going ahead with it, and offering every bad kind of food they can to me, or sitting right by me talking about how delicious it is. I have been off sugar for 2 months and progressing from full caffeine to decaf, have quit smoking, and went from fast food every day --with 3 large sweet tea's a day at McDonald-- to only once a month eating out and NO sweet tea unless I make it with Truvia....so, yeah...sometimes I really feel like I'm gonna snap or maybe just quit the job...but I'm gonna do this for me! Best of luck to you all!

I disagree with the people attacking you! You should do what your Dr says and what your body feels good enough to do! I can only hope and pray I feel well enough to do all that! (and that is what my Dr and nutritionist say is the correct amount of exercise as well!) Great job! And I wish you great success in your journey!

I definitely know the feeling! I just got my Sep 10th surgery date, and my "friends" at work found out somehow that I am having WLS and have let me know how miserable they have been since they (2 of them) have had theirs. It is frustrating to not have support from them...but we are different people, in different stages of life. I have researched, planned, waited...and now I am ready!!! Bring it on!!

Mine was supposed to be August 22...but it got changed due to insurance. Now it is Sep 10th. I guess thats ok though, cuz my birthday is Sep 1st...I now have the best birthday gift ever...the beginning of my new life!