Chrisann

Hey everyone, was back in the hospital yesterday, I was having tremendous pressure in my chest whenever I got up and down, and couldn't swallow. Drank about 12oz all day when I got home. Had an Esophogram and drank this horrendous chalky drink that I couldn't get down but had to, so as to make sure my band was ok since I was dry heaving several times after getting out of recovery. Turns out that I have muscle damage from the dry heaving, coupled with the hernia repair, and am on more drugs. Still can't get down much fluids, but trying and Doctor Ren told me to stick to Clear liquids until I feel better.

Isn't that a cool smilie? I saw it on another sports board I am a moderator on and then found it here. Red I think your fonts are too big, that may be why. Thanks everyone!

Thanks everyone, wanted to check in one last time before I go to bed. NY time, I have to be in the hospital by 8am, surgery around 11am.

Slimfast only gives you 10 grams of Protein. You need to get about 50-80 grams of protein a day to not feel hungry. Didn't your doctor give you some guidelines? If not ask them ASAP. You don't want to continue to be discouraged. I am having my surgery tomorrow, and in day 13 of liquid. IF you are allowed, get yourself Isopure powder or Designer whey powder, Lo Carb, and mix it with sugar free Carnation Instant breakfast, one scoop of the Isopure is 25g protein, and one scoop of the Designer Whey is 19g protein. Once you up your protein, you lose the hunger. Protein keeps you from being hungry, and in my case headache free. My pre surgery plan allows for 16oz of coffee a day and I weaned down to that and had a headache for a few days. If you mix it with the Carnation, add 1/2 cup more milk and 3 or 4 ice cubes, and it if its chocolate, tastes just like a milkshake. You get between 24g and 30g of protein, with about 240 calories, 14 carbs. Hang in there, I was miserable days 5 to 8 and then all of a sudden it became easier.

Thanks, if my day today goes smoothly, I will be all ready to go tomorrow. I am staying with my parents with limited internet access after the surgery, so if you guys don't hear from me, that is the only reason.....

Its been in the upper 30's, low 40's in NYC, a heatwave, so to speak for this time of year, and drinking the cold shakes doesn't warm you up much and can't get enough Protein from the warm broth. Ladies from down under, kinda see the irony.......:rolleyes

But in reality, it is probably a good thing I am stressed. When I am stressed I DON'T eat. But hell, I wanted a somewhat calm, relaxing day today.

Well my parents are freaking out to me this morning one day before the surgery because I ate a lot of vegetables on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and had a half of a glass of wine Christmas Eve. They have been reading up on the pre surgical liquid phase and it said "Absolutely no alcohol" and 2 cups of veggies a day. So now they think I haven't been following it at all so why bother going for the surgery. Mind you, they are taking me, and I am recouperating there. I told them that I have been in contact with the nutritionist, and she approved everything. My father then says, well I bet it was how you phrased the question. I told him it was all done on email. I want to forward the emails to them but they are on my office computer, which I won't have remote access to until next week sometime. But I am so angry now.

Muscle Milk is good, but when I looked at the label, almost had heart failure, alot of fat and carbs!!! I like the Isopure low Carb chocolate mixed with sugarfree Carnation Instant Breakfast, also the Designer whey unflavored mixed with the Instant Breaksfast strawberry. Picked up Protein to Go at GNC in Orange Mango, its powdered protein, 10 grams that you mix with a bottle of Water.

Yep saw the name, thanks for picking it before my surgery. See, I put it in my signature.

I gave away much of my food. Really, it was hard, but I knew I have no willpower. Start the liquid with simple easy drinks, Slim Fast, Carnation instant Breakfast, with added Protein powder. Write down when you drank it and what the calories, protein, carbs are in it. Ideally the SF keeps me hunger free for about 2.5 to 3 hours. If I felt "hunger" before that time, I knew it was phantom hunger. Yes, I have cheated, my nutritionist let me eat some food at my Christmas Party and Christmas Eve, but also, ate about 20 olives two nights ago, and a sleeve of Ritz Crackers last week. I never ate a sleeve of those before. Gave the box to my sister after that. But you have to stick to it. The fact that doing this liquid phase for two weeks will help ME during the surgery, keeps me motivated. Why would anyone go into the surgery and then have to be closed up because nothing can be done, why go through that whole thing all over again. Talk to the nutritionist and your surgeon. Be up front and honest.

On day 13 of my liquid pre phase and when I mix Carnation Instant Breaksfast, sugar free, with Isopure chocolate with 2 carbs, it tastes like an incredible milkshake. Had three of those, and some broth with veggies today. 825 calories for the day, about 100 grams of Protein. 33 hours to go to surgery.....

Red, I wasn't accusing you of deleting me, some newbies did and I was one of the original members, so I am so honored you left me on. Remember I said that I was more at home here than with the December people. Now I can't sleep, I am cleaning my house because family will be arriving the same day I am leaving for the surgery and they will be here for New Years Eve, while I am in the hospital.

Well at least I am still there, and 37 hours to go. Some you guys delete me. I am on December 31, but was one of the original members of the January group before my surgery was moved from January 21.

She annoys me, Jenny Craig is soo expensive and full of sodium. I still like Kirstie Allen, I would much rather see how she is doing 2 years out.

Wow nice job, even the 6 pounds since the surgery!!!! Nice to see you move on to mushies too, because I am in Day 12 of pre-opt liquid and still can't see the end since its liquids after the surgery.

Congrats. I was bumped from January 21st because it was Martin Luther King Day, hope you are safe.

When they want you to get in when the approval is received they find you a day. I was bumped from January 21st. I complained and miraculously they found December 31st.

Oxford got my papers on 12/13/07 and I was approved on 12/15/07. I have Oxford Liberty PPO.

There are also 10 grams of Protein shots at GNC in powder form, like at $1.35 each that you add to a bottle of Water (like Crystal Light). I have tried Orange Mango and Vanilla. Its just another way to get the protein in easily. You can down a bottle of water fast if you don't like the taste, but still get the protein in.

Red, I was about to say that too,. Just look at the people we will all keep in touch with as we progress through the band phases. Welcome everyone, I go on Monday......:omg:

Carnation Instant Breakfast does not give you adequate Protein. I mix my instant breakfast with Designer whey, 19 grams protein in a scoop or with Isopure which has 25 grams of protein in the scoop. Slim Fast has 10 grams of protein. If your doctor allows you food, try Greek Yogurt, it has about 15 grams of protein. Protein is what keeps you full. I am in my second week of liquid and it does get better.

Found out today that Dr. Ren uses the new AP band. Can't find much info on it, but was told that its safer than the old bands and larger in capacity for saline. Its oval too I think.

Smoothie King in Penn Station has this Gladiator Smoothie. I spoke with the nutritionist and she said I could have one a day. 300 calories, no fat, no cholestrol, 40 carbs (I think) and 45 grams Protein. You pick the two fruits you want in there. I really like pineapple and blueberry. But it does hold you for 5 hours or so. I had beef broth last night with celery, carrots, onions, tomatoes and mushrooms. I put in a little garlic powder, oregano and a pinch of crushed red pepper, and black pepper. I let it simmer for about a hour. I fudged a little and put less than a half a teaspoon of parmesan cheese. It was great. I think the second week really has been easier than the first, I am not looking to eat frozen meat or furniture.

I wouldn't do it. Buy yourself some sparkling cider. It has the same bubbly effect.