Beni

I think the issue other folks are having is that your plan is very different from what most are advised. I have been reading this site for quite a long time and the first few weeks (mine included) are a lot more conservative then yours. Another thing is Slimfast is not considered to have enough Protein. The recommended dose of protein is higher (at least 25 gr) Premier has 30 grams while Slimfast has only 20. A higher Protein Drink will make you feel fuller and it is needed to for recovery. Just to give you an idea my first week is Protein shake and Water only.

Congrats Alumace. Go figure, Australians are efficient. You managed to squeeze in before me (Oct 28th). I only have 3 day clear liquid diet. This is to clear the track, so to speak, before surgery.

Karen Allen our trailblazer is back home, hurray. Glad you are feeling a bit better.

misstvb and wlswarrior are our next gladiators and tomorrow, OCT 8th is their day. We'll be thinking of you, let us know how you are doing. Good Luck!

That's too long on a clear liquid diet, in my opinion. I don't know of anyone doing a "clear" longer then 3 days since I joined Bariatric Pal. Are you sure it's clear not just a "liquid"diet? But perhaps there is a good reason why your doctor is doing it this way. I know I may be acting a little pushy but please double check with your doctor. The spams are probably from a ketoacidosis type reaction. It happens when too drastric of a no carb diet is applied. Funny enough everyone in this board that has posted this spasm/cramps condition, their NUTs/doctors have said to increase Water intake. Please contact your doctor first of course, I am not a doctor I am just reporting what I have read here. Sorry to hear about your situation.

Thanks Amy for sharing on the Iron thing. I am trying to get in front of this. I lost a lot of blood with one of my baby deliveries I ended up anemic and with post partum depression. I do not want to go down that road again. It was terrible and I had zero energy. Dc0520 Sorry to hear about pain. Everyone says the gas pain is bad in the first couple days but make sure they take care of you with pain meds. I imagine it must be hard. we are thinking of you.

Something else to consider. A fellow Bariatric Pal just found out her Iron was low at the 6 month blood work. Of course, this is something to try to avoid because it can cause anemia. I have spent my morning researching proper Vitamin intake and checked the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS.) This is the bible site for bariatric surgeons. After considerable reading, I found their guidelines for post operative requirements. Please take a look at this. You have to scroll farther down to Q5 to get to the area in question. I think it's worth reading since this is what the doctors read to design their post-op programs. Incidently it's what insurance companies follow for approval. http://asmbs.org/resources/clinical-practice-guidelines-for-the-perioperative-nutritional-metabolic-and-nonsurgical-support-of-the-bariatric-surgery-patient I do know there is this issue with how Iron supplements are poorly absorbed in general and by Bariatric patients specifically and taking Vitamin C with it helps bind it, but it is crucial not to have any milk products when you take your iron. You also can't have your Calcium at the same time (3 hours later). Because most of us are taking 2 Multivitamins at the same time once a day and probably not paying attention if there are any milk products eaten the time. I could see myself developing a problem in the future. Thus decided to share!

How are you holding up? PAT testing?

Hi majones_orl, You are so lucky to have a friend who went through and you can depend on. I too have started to freeze meals for my family because I need to have some control over my life and I can't stand the thought of what my husband would fix the kids. He has many qualities but he is surely, not a chef. Vegetables, what's that! Hi layknee. I was a bit that way two weeks ago. Now I am just seriously distracted. I can't stop thinking about my surgery and you all and I am having an issue focusing on things that are seemingly important but I find it all meaningless. In a word, I'm obssesed with my surgery.

I am so.... clever, figured out how to get hot pink lettering! misstvb and wlswarrior are going on the 8th and majones_orl on the 9th, layknee 13th, yoyonomore and smiley922 on the 14th and OnePhatWhoDat 15th. We'll get to the 20ths later. Anyone else with dates in the single digits and teens in our little group is missed? How are you all getting ready for the big day? what prep, mental or otherwise have you all been doing?

So glad to hear you are doing well superbariatricbabe. Yesterday at my support group there were 3 people, 2 weeks past surgery and pain free, walking around good as new. Not long at all.

Sherri4health, No over doing anything this week right? Get well soon my friend. Jyoyonomore, Yes, the dreadful errands that get in the way of my Water drinking. I know them well. I suspect my issue is also not having the straw. It just makes it slower to drink. The good news is the days right after surgery drinking water will be our full time job. Perhaps, I'll be focused then. I do make it to 48oz everyday, just not to 64oz. However, that's not with my tiny egg sized pouch post RNY. So many people are back in the hospital due to dehydration.

Bronxmerci, Best wishes, so sorry, I knew I was going to leave someone out accidentally. Go get them gladiator Best of luck!

I see. You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make it drink

Sherri, I know, lol. The only problem is there is going to be a lot less of me to go around when I lose all this weight! Are they going to put on antibiotics or do they still think your respiratory infection is viral?

I'm having a bypass Oct 28th. By the way everyone moves about in Bariatric Pal, bypass, sleeve, etc. It's just a big happy family. At times it's hard to keep track but there is so much overlap in pre-op and post-op it all works somehow. Also Everyone responds to topics in every forum. i know, it gets messy

Drinking water is my biggest challenge. I have tried everything but hardly ever make it to 64Oz. I am getting to the point I will need one of those camel backpacks with a line like hikers use. But we are not supposed to use straws. I am just too busy to focus on water every 5 seconds. So sad, I am failing at drinking water, imagine that!

Okay everyone, OCT 7th is a mad rush. There are a ton of gladiators going through tomorrow. I apologize in advance if I forget someone. It's getting harder for my little brain to keep track. Best of luck to: walkin'onsunshine hharrison43 dc0520 Joy59 Luvin_Life125 was a maybe. I noticed she was not on the upcoming surgeries, so not 100% sure Sherri4Health is going to fight another day as she is still sick from a cold Best of luck everyone! We are cheering you on! Let us know how you did!

Hi Tacycakes, I too was super nauseated in my first trimester of pregnancy. It was so bad I refused to have any more babies (did end up with 3 kids but 5 pregnancies). I am sure the hernia will add a little something but lots of people have them done at the same time as RNY. It will be fine in the end.

Sorry Sherri, that's a bummer.

My bariatric doctor stated that WLS surgery has the same outcomes for patients with eating disorders or not. I thought that was interesting. I am more of a portion control kind of person. I think the crucial point is your ability to follow the diet protocol. From everything I have read (a lot) the best you can do is be organized about what you eat. Your WLS will do the rest at least in the short term. Later on, making good choices will be crucial. The hope is you will develop good habits in the first year that will carry through.

Jeaniek, I was explained 3 to 5 lbs is what to expect. Heavier patients lose faster then lighter patients, (ask yourself were you a 200, 300, 400lbs,etc starting weight?) So, with 34 pounds lost in 10 weeks. That's 3.4 pounds per week, right on schedule! Doing fantastic!

Hi AuriP, glad you are thinking positive. I went on obesityhelp.com and they have this neat picture feature with before and after photos. It takes a while to go through but the neat thing is you can find someone with your body type and age before and it helps to see the result after. It's addicting! And awesome to see.

maggiemayuk, thank you for sharing. I would absolutely love to get a wig. I have seen them online but feared they may look too fake. I have curly thick hair (pixie cut right now) and blow drying and straightening almost everyday is a workout, specially when it was a little longer. My arm actually hurts. A nice wig in a slightly longer length would be a dream. I'll check out the Raquel Welch line

Good point Betty Boop, no one will be checking my tummy for scars. I was just being silly. And no, I have not complained about my imaginary hernia. It's not like I am going to lie, I just need to keep all focus on me. I can't be worrying about how others will react and how I tell them, blah, blah, blah!