BryanInStPete

I had my 7 week post-op follow-up yesterday. I am down 4 pant sizes and 65+ lbs since July 4th. I am still doing very well - energy is high and feeling great. I have had a couple "slimming" incidents over the last 3 weeks but mostly due to eating too much too fast. I hope everyone is doing well and mentally prepared for Thanksgiving! Take it easy on the stuffing!! :-) Sharing a little before and after pic of me wearing the same shirt.

I am two weeks post op - which means it has been over two weeks since I have had any solid food. My doctor has me on full liquids for 3 weeks post-op which means I have another week before I can start the pureed phase. LOL - I realized that the highlight of my day is eating my chewable Vitamin twice a day! I am counting the days before I can "eat" and not "drink" my meals. Speaking of liquid diet - I have also realized the lack of chewing anything quickly leaves a film on my teeth and I find that I am brushing my teeth three or four times a day (I'm a neat freak about my teeth anyway) but all those Protein drinks, Soups, etc. really seem to build up a film quickly. And my last liquid diet blues rant....I never realized how many damn TV commercials there were for pizza, fast-food, and chain restaurants until the last few days. Ughhh! :-)

Hi All, I had my surgery on Thursday, 10/15 - late in the afternoon (2PM). I stayed in recovery until 8PM when I was moved to my room. I was able to do a walk down the hallway and back at 10PM and began drinking Water as soon as I got into my room. I am thrilled to say I have had absolutely no adverse reactions. Sure I would get a little fluttering in my stomach and tad bit of nausea but never came close to feeling like I needed to throw up and the gas pains were minimal - I never exprienced the gas pains in my back or shoulders that others warned about. I was sipping decafe coffee, chicken broth, and Jello for Breakfast the next day and did two more strolls down the hallway. I was discharged at 4PM the following day and opted to walk out vs. using a wheelchair. I will admit that walking out of the hospital and into my house wore me out and made my legs weak for about 24 hours. I have continued to follow my doc's orders and diet. I began full liquids on day three - again no problem or reactions other than a little fluttering in my stomach which I took as a sign to stop eating. I've been eating cream of wheat (mixed with unflavored Protein poweder), greek yogurt, protien shakes, and homemade blendered tomato Soup (with protein powder). I even took a small trip to the grocery store (didn't drive) yesterday. Again it wore me out and I napped for 2 hours afterwards but then had plenty of energy after the nap. Overall I am extremely pleased with how my body is responding. I am giving a lot of credit to the fact that I am sipping the Isopure bottled clear Protein drinks for my main liquid intake - I even made jello and popsicles out it. I'm taking all my suppliments too. The only odd side effect I've had is taking my cholestrol meds - I take a lot - 3 different prescriptions but 6 pills in total. The first night I took them I spaced each pill out by 10 min but that didn't seem to be enough time as I was burping up a bad chemical/medicine taste about 30 min after taking the last pill. So now I spread them out throughout the day and have not had that problem. What about weight you ask? When I got home that next day I got on the scale and I was 5lbs heavier than when I went in for surgery - realizing it was mostly trapped gas and all the IV fluids in me I didn't freak out. As of today I am 5 lbs lighter than the day of surgery.

Best of luck. I'm a little over a week post-op and I already notice the difference physically. Sending good vibes and hoping your recovery goes smoothly.

I'm less than 90 hours away from my surgery. Now that the surgery date is getting closer I have shared with more people than I originally have told when I began my pre-op diet classes and appointments six months ago. I am getting the same response from everyone - basically that they think I don't need the surgery. I have yo-yo'd up and down between 275 - 315 for the past 5 years with all the negative effects to my health that go along with being 100 - 120 lbs overweight. Has anyone else had this reaction from family and friends? How did you handle it? That aside I am looking forward to a healthier me in the weeks, months and years to come!

My surgery is in four weeks and I am wondering if there are any business travelers like me that have gone through surgery? Curious to know how soon after surgery did you feel comfortable taking a business trip? I average 2 - 4 business trips a month, usually gone for 2 to 3 days at time. I plan to take a week off work and my first post-op trip is planned for 5 weeks after surgery. My Doc said that shouldn't be a problem but I am a little concerned about not being able to eat and drink the way I should while traveling. How soon after surgery have any of you traveled and what lessons do you have to share with me?

Thanks for the feedback. I too am often frequently upgraded and I am going to miss my Snacks, drinks, and sometimes meals that go along with the upgrade. For my first trip I decided to not stay at the typical higher end hotels my firm puts me up in but looked for one with a small kitchenette/microwave/frig so I can prepare my shakes and soft-food vs. relying on room service. I have thought about the fact that my expense report will be smaller on trips now since I won't be eating out as much. Too bad I don't get a travel per diem otherwise I would be making some extra pocket money on these trips! :-) Curious if you have had any troubles with TSA if you take a small amount of Protein powder in your carry-on?

I have been using the Isopure Zero Carb powder and pre-bottled Protein from GNC. They too are pricey and I hesitated before purchasing it ($50 for large container of powder and $45 for a dozen of pre-bottled) But after I thought about it I realized these are replacing meals and $3.75 a bottle of Isopure is 1/2 or 1/3 of what I typically pay for a lunch. Just something to think of when experiencing sticker shock. BTW - The Isopure bottled drink is 40 g of protein and 160 calories. Because it is "clear" (meaning you can see through the liquid) and no sugar my Dr. said it would be a good drink for me to sip those frist weeks of post-surgery. The Alpine and Green Apple flavored bottled Isopures are my favorite.