RedOrangeSunrise

I've been drinking "vitamin water 0" which is the same idea, has electrolytes and vitamins. It goes down easier than water right now. Good luck! "Slightly dehydrated" is better than "stay where you are while we hook up this IV." It's a learning curve for all of us. Sent from my Nexus 5X using BariatricPal mobile app

My diet plan lists yogurt as acceptable, but not cottage cheese. I'm on high protein full liquids two weeks before and two weeks after surgery. I am now 3 days post-op. Sent from my Nexus 5X using BariatricPal mobile app

The water they had me sipping in the hospital made me want to barf, and I too used to love water. I'd read that many people prefer sugar free flavored alternatives to plain water shortly after surgery. My understanding is that this is very common. My favorite right now is vitamin water 0, lemonade flavor. I'm babying my stomach right now, so no guzzling, but sipping at a good pace to avoid dehydration. Sent from my Nexus 5X using BariatricPal mobile app

Had surgery on the 28th, came home yesterday afternoon and made a lasagna for my family (which my husband loaded into the oven because it was too heavy), went to bed, got up to tuck kids in and read a bedtime story, went back to sleep. My youngest was crying this morning and I made the mistake of jumping right out of bed, which lead to letting the dog out, which lead to running interference so the dog wouldn't go after that one chicken who won't go into the coop at night, which lead to my 2 year old opening the door and letting our indoor cat out. It was all very stressful and I hadn't yet taken a pain or nausea med as there was no nice nursing staff to wake my up at 2AM for the next scheduled dose. I am back in bed now with a heating pad, waiting to stop feeling woozy so I can sip the required amount of protein shake. How long did your nausea last? How long before you could do most normal things, apart from lifting over 10 lbs?

I am prone to nausea in general, so not terribly surprised there. My abdominal pain has decreased a lot since my second night in the hospital (it took my body two days to remember how to pass gas, despite my frequent walks around the nurses station). I feel a lot less bloated after being off IV fluids, too. Still having abdominal pain, just not as bad. I'll try to simmer down. This is my first abdominal surgery as both kids went out the same way they got in. Thanks for the reply Sent from my Nexus 5X using BariatricPal mobile app

Blurred vision sounds like a side effect of your meds, have someone read the information for you. Have you been passing gas? My nurses asked that every time I saw them. This surgery involves a lot of air pumped into the abdomen so they can see what they're doing. Also, if you'd been hooked up to IV fluids for your hospital stay, that could account for some water retention. It doesn't hurt to call your doctor. My post op instructions involve a lot of sipping, taking in fluids can actually help get things moving if you're retaining water. I'd still call just in case. Sent from my Nexus 5X using BariatricPal mobile app

In a hospital room now, post-op. Ice chips have never tasted so good!

This sugar free instant breakfast is the best thing I've ever tasted. Taking very small sips and watching the golden girls on TV. Still on IV fluids. Still using the heating pad. I very much hope they'll let me go home today! Sent from my Nexus 5X using BariatricPal mobile app

It does feel great to have the surgery over with. I feel really tired, nauseated, and have awful gas pains. I graduated from ice chips to small sips of water. Tomorrow, I get to have an instant breakfast. I'm using hot pads on my tummy and walking every time I get up to pee. Really looking forward to moving past this stage. Sent from my Nexus 5X using BariatricPal mobile app

Thanks everyone! I've been crunching a few ice chips band have taken 3 short walks.

Looking for suggestions for the pre-op (and post-op after the 28th) liquid diet phase. What are some essential grocery store items? What's your favorite protein shake? What are some go-to recipes? I'm nervous about this part. Thanks!

Sure! We love Winterport. It's close to Bangor, but less crowded. There isn't much of a "village" area, though they do have an elementary school and library. We have friends who've lived there for years and are very happy.

Yesterday was bad. Day 6 of liquid diet, and I cried through most of it. I even called my program coordinator to ask if there's something else I can do, anything else. I could not be around the family bbq that afternoon and went for a walk in the woods, cried through most of that. I just felt so hopeless and didn't want to have anything, couldn't stand the thought of another liquid "meal." Has this happened to anyone else? Why is this diet making me so emotional? In addition to the crying, I've been short tempered, and physically tired. I forced myself to have a protein shake first thing this morning and felt a bit better today.

PS first time ever in a GNC, always felt awkward as a person of size. But, I think I'm done feeling that way. I'm somebody's mother. They don't like seeing a fat lady buying supplements, not my problem. Sent from my Nexus 5X using BariatricPal mobile app

July 28th! This means I get to start the liquid diet on the 14th. I'm not breathing into a paper bag yet, but I suspect I'll be spending a lot of time here with folks who know about these things.

It's just something I picked up at GNC in the mall, unflavored whey protein powder. I can't remember the name of it, but it was on sale. It actually does have a bit of a cheesy/dairy flavor to it, but is good in chicken broth - if stirred really, really well! Sent from my Nexus 5X using BariatricPal mobile app

Having similar issues. Surgery is the 28th for me, too, and I also have one week to go. My program demands a high protein liquid diet. I can have sugar-free protein shakes, sugar-free popcicles, strained cream soups, broth with protein powder, and nonfat Greek yogurt. I miss chewing and I've been extremely emotional. Sent from my Nexus 5X using BariatricPal mobile app

Dear fellow stress eaters .... So, what do you do now?

Day 5 of high protein liquid diet. 9 days to go, then surgery. I miss solid food. Even a salad. A bit of fish. Anything! Very much trying to focus on the fact that this is temporary. I will chew again some day. Sent from my Nexus 5X using BariatricPal mobile app

Weirdly, I'm experiencing something similar even though I'm married - basically realizing how much of our conversations and activities have revolved around food! However, when I go out with friends it's often coffee (herbal tea for me at this point since I'm on the pre-op liquid diet), or a walk, or the beach - again, because the conversation is the important part. I agree with the above, try a non-food based activity at first. Best wishes to you! Sent from my Nexus 5X using BariatricPal mobile app

My surgery isn't until the 28th. I'm three days into my liquid diet, but I have big plans for soft foods including baked ricotta, refried beans, and poached eggs. I'm also going to be giving my immersion blender a workout! We'll see how it goes. I would check with your dietician on the fruit question. I would imagine that you would still need to keep an eye on sugar and make sure you're getting enough protein. My doc says Greek yogurt is good for protein. It's also one of the things I'm allowed right now, so that's nice! Sent from my Nexus 5X using BariatricPal mobile app

Well, it's the end of day 3 and I don't feel like eating - which is new for me. So far, advant-edge shakes have been good (I prefer the chocolate based flavors), and I've been making my own cream of tomato soup (to which I add unflavored protein powder), which is tasty and reminiscent of real food (I use fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic, and basil, which I strain out at the end). Tonight, I couldn't finish my mug of soup. The heat probably has something to do with that! Sent from my Nexus 5X using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm between Bangor and Belfast, but interested in talking with anyone from Maine. I am 34, married, have two kids, one dog, one cat, 6 hens, and one loud little rooster. I'm in education. I identify with caregivers, educators, counselors, etc. It's a lifestyle that often requires we give a lot of ourselves, we have to set boundaries and learn to put on our own oxygen mask first (self care). My surgery is scheduled for July 28th. I would love to have someone in the area to talk with!

I think it depends on your original shape. For example, I had big breasts at the age of 13, even though I wasn't overweight. I even had a breast reduction at 17. So, I expect I'll never be small chested, even when I do lose the weight. I understand the worry, though. I'm going to be sad if I lose ALL of my butt! I heard doing squats helps, so I'm doing that! Sent from my Nexus 5X using BariatricPal mobile app

I am not there yet. Definitely enjoy having a drink with friends, abstaining for diet and psychological reasons until after surgery/ recovery BUT, I have thought about it. My ideas of acceptable drinks include minimal sugar, so a nice bloody Mary (check your mix), or a gin and diet tonic (if carbonation doesn't cause gas pain). Irish coffee is a classic. There are mixers which are lower in sugar or sugar free. Red wine does have more sugar than white. Sent from my Nexus 5X using BariatricPal mobile app