Ready4theday

I absolutely understand! I had to do the same - 2 weeks of liquids pre-op, then 2 weeks of liquid post-op. I was so sick of protein shakes! Have you tried thinning out some yogurt? Soups? I finally got some clear protein drinks (lemonade and kiwi & berry from the Bariatric Pal store) and they were a nice break from the sweet protein shakes. I'd also mix a little sugar-free Hershey's syrup with my fair life milk to make high-protein chocolate milk. Hang in there! You'll make it! Make sure you're staying hydrated. That will keep you full longer. On my 3rd week post-op, I was able to have pureed foods and could definitely tell a difference in my energy level (a lot more energy!). Refried beans and little cheese were my go-to food as well as unflavored protein powder mixed with mashed potatoes thinned out with Fairlife milk, with a little cheese. Those were really good and filling. Today (week 5), I begin soft foods. I had some sliced turkey breast and avocado for lunch and my pouch has been ok with it so far. Stick with it! You'll get there and it will be worth it!! HW 280 CW 254 SW 274 DOS 8/24/17

My surgery was Aug. 24th and at my 2-week post-op visit, I had lost 14 lbs. I was so excited. Yesterday, I was 4 weeks post op and I've only lost 4 more lbs. (for a total of 18 lbs. since surgery). I had hoped to lose another 10 lbs at least by now! I'm getting in an avg of 900 calories per day and my surgeon says thatxs perfect since the greater part of my protein is coming from real food rather than protein shakes and supplements. I have my 4-week post-op visit next week (which will be more like 5 weeks post-op) and I'm anxious about what my surgeon is going to say about my minimal weight loss. [emoji52] HW 280 CW 256 SW 274 DOS 8/24/17

I'm 3 weeks post-op and my incisions aren't bad at all. I've been using Aquaphor on them since the surgical glue wore off (about 9 days post-op). I have 6 incisions, but 3 are very small - less than 1cm - on R and L sides, and upper center. Today I started using Bio-oil on them, as many recommend to prevent scarring. And I had gastric bypass, not the sleeve. ( HW 280 CW 256 SW 274 DOS 8/24/17

I'm post-op day 8 and am doing well, but feeling extremely fatigued. Everything takes effort. I had to take a break while putting sheets on the bed earlier today! I'm getting in 65-80g of protein each day, 50-70 oz of fluids and taking my multivitamins. I've been able to do this for the past 4 days and I'm not physically hungry. I will note that I'm now starting week 4 of the full liquid diet (had to do it 2 weeks pre-op as well). While keeping track of my protein and fluid intake (via My Fitness Pal), I've noticed that I'm only getting 550-700 calories per day - and that's even counting my 3 calcium citrate chews! I can't help but wonder if the low calorie intake is what's contributing to my fatigue. And forget about exercise - I can hardly make it through an entire shower without needing to sit down. This just doesn't seem right to me. Have others had the same issue? Obviously, I'm not expecting to be getting anywhere near "normal" caloric intake, but I thought maybe 800-900 calories would be closer to what I should be getting at this point? Does anyone know? HW 280 CW 263 SW 274 DOS 8/24/17

Thanks Krissy22blue! What you're describing is a lot like how I feel! I have 3 flights of stairs in my townhome and each one feels like a small mountain. The 1 and only trip I've made to the grocery store wore me out. I'm post-op day 12 today and I had a couple bites of scrambled egg last night. I just needed some protein that wasn't liquid or jello! Very glad to hear you're feeling better already. That gives me hope! [emoji4] HW 280 CW 261 SW 274 DOS 8/24/17

I'm so sorry to hear you're going through this. I've been through something similar when my boss was unexpectedly laid off. It's a scary and stressful time. But rest assured that you will still be able to keep your health insurance! Under federal law, you must be given the opportunity to enroll in COBRA. It probably won't be cheap, but you can still have surgery and continue your coverage. It shouldn't have any impact on your surgery at all. Another thought is that the HR dept must be very careful about what they say (or what is communicated to you) in these situations. In my experience, they won't lie to you and say there won't be any changes if it isn't true. Instead, you'd most likely have less information than you already do if there were more cuts coming your way. Still, I understand the uncertainty of the whole situation, but seriously doubt they'd tell you that and then turn around and do something else in your meeting. Hang in there. Sending positive energy your way!! [emoji5] HW 280 CW 263 SW 274 DOS 8/24/17

That's awesome! And while I can relate to the bittersweet feeling of giving away almost new clothes (or even clothes with the tags still on them!!), it's great to know they're going to such a good cause. [emoji3] HW 280 CW 263 SW 274 DOS 8/24/17

Can you have avocados? Nut butter? Greek yogurt? I've also been having luck with Genepro - it's such a small amount of powder for 30g of protein. It mixes well with nearly everything and has very little taste.

Thank you so much James. I appreciate your thoughtful reply. I didn't consider low iron being a factor since I'm taking Bariatric Advantage crystallized vitamins. I checked the container today and was stunned to see that there is NO IRON in the formula I bought! It doesn't include calcium citrate, so I have no idea why iron would be omitted. So I just took one of my women's multivits that I'd taken in the past. I'll be ordering another formula soon so that I'm not missing the iron I need. Thanks again! HW 280 CW 263 SW 274 DOS 8/24/17

Glad to hear you're feeling better!

If it were me, I'd go to a nearby urgent care. I understand not wanting to mess up your surgery, etc. but you need to be healthy! Stay hydrated no matter what. Even if the water just comes back up. Dehydration will get you a hospital stay quicker than you think. I'm no medical professional. Full stop. But if it were me having those symptoms, I'd guess it was some type of food poisoning or allergic reaction. Hang in there.

You look great! Congrats!!

I brought my own long bathrobe which was great for walking the halls post-op (to throw over the peek-a-boo butt gown!). Make sure the sleeves are loose enough because you'll have an IV. Didn't have any problems with mine. I also brought my slip-on crocs so I didn't have to walk in socks everywhere. Both were a lifesaver. I agree with others on the lip balm! Very glad I had that, too. HW 280 CW 266 SW 274 DOS 8/24/17

Just had surgery last Thurs. I take an antidepressant (for MDD) and my surgeon had me stop it only the day of surgery and for 3 days afterward. Since it takes a while to build up in the system, she wasn't concerned about it being depleted after just a few days. Since I couldn't crush it and it's not a capsule I can open, she just wanted to be sure my stomach would tolerate it once I did take it. I started taking it again Mon. and so far have had no problems. I just make sure to have some milk, soup or protein shake in my pouch and not take it on an empty stomach. I also talked with my psychiatrist about it prior to surgery and he said I'd stay on the same dose until I come back for my next check up with him in late Sept. He didn't anticipate needing to change the dose due to surgery. Hope this helps. Best of luck to you all! HW 280 CW 267 SW 274 (8/24/17) GW 150

Admitted @ 730am for 10 am surgery on Thurs, Discharged by 2pm Fri. RNYGB, no complications or vomiting, able to keep fluids down and void (urine/gas). I also walked a good bit post-op evening, as well as the next morning. HW 280 CW 267 SW 274 (8/24/17) GW 150

Stay hydrated (if you can still drink water) and get some rest. It'll be over before you know it! Sending positive, healing energy your way! HW 280 CW 267 SW 274 (8/24/17) GW 150

Congrats! I bet that cottage cheese was divine! I've got one more week to go before my 2 week post-op, but I'll only be able to do pureed foods for 2 weeks after that, and then I get to soft foods. Lucky you! Keep up the good work! HW 280 CW 267 SW 274 (8/24/17) GW 150

Me too! I'm about 1 week post-op and have had very vivid dreams about food. Been on my liquid diet now for 3 weeks, so last night I even dreamt about steamed carrots (and I hate steamed carrots!). [emoji23] HW 280 CW 267 SW 274 (8/24/17) GW 150

Best of luck to you! I'll be one week post-op tomorrow, and if you're like me, you're in for a tough weekend! But you'll get through it!! Within a few hours of getting to my room (post-op), I was up walking. It's not bad because you still have anesthesia on board. I walked four times that evening. The next morning, I walked four times before noon. I was able to keep down 30ml, then 60ml, then 90ml, then 120ml and I thought, "I'm killing this!" And then I went home. And the anesthesia wore off. Ugh. The pain and nausea were pretty bad. I couldn't get out of bed by myself it hurt so bad. I felt sick to my stomach any time I put anything in it (ice, water, watered-down apple juice, milk, protein shake, etc.) All despite taking an anti-nausea med 3x/day. Eventually I got thirsty enough that I was able to drink water and very, very diluted apple juice. I thought I'd never make my protein goal which was only 60 grams in the first few days. I might have made 30g. I was wondering if I had really made a mistake, if I could really do this. Was I going to be tired and weak forever? Until yesterday. For breakfast, I blended a few pieces of banana with 4 oz Fairlife milk and protein powder and made myself drink it until it was gone. I felt better once it was in my system. I continue to drink and eventually got up the nerve to take my multivitamins. I got the Bariatric Advantage crystallized kind that you mix with water. It tasted awful, but I got it down. Ever since I have felt so much better. Been able to get my protein in (thanks to Genepro) and stay hydrated. Took vits again today and still feel pretty good. Hope this continues! You'll do great! Just know there's a light at the end of the tunnel and it's not far away! HW 280 CW 267 SW 274 (8/24/17) GW 150

I just had my RNYGB done 8/24 and my surgeon used the DaVinci robot. I was excited to have it done this way and more at ease. I've seen a couple surgeries performed using the DaVinci and the precision is outstanding. So far I'm doing well and my incisions look great! HW 280 CW 267 SW 274 (8/24/17) GW 150

You can use chicken (you'd need 2-3 carcasses to make a good bone broth), turkey, pork, lamb, beef - whatever bones you can get your hands on. Most grocery stores sell soup bones in the freezer section. I like to get my beef bones from EarthFare. They're usually in the freezer case by the meat counter. You can also visit an Asian market if you have one nearby. They usually have a great selection of different types of bones and are usually very inexpensive. HW 280 CW 273 SW (TBD 8/24/17...tomorrow!!) GW 150

Absolutely! My nutritionist said it's very good - especially if you make it yourself! The marrow and collagen in it helps with tissue healing! HW 280 CW 273 SW (TBD 8/24/17...tomorrow!!) GW 150

I actually went in for my pre-op appt with my surgeon today (surgery scheduled for 8/24) and I was up 5.6 lbs from my final weigh in with the nutritionist (7/31)! That's despite having been on a liquid diet for the past 11 days! I have cheated but only with yogurt a couple times and a bite of macaroni salad once. Really, I can't believe it. Anyway, they thought insurance (CIGNA) may not cover due to the gain, but they called and got approval. I was panicking for a minute there! But it's my own fault, really. I shot myself in the foot because I went on vacation the first week of Aug. and ate everything I wanted because I thought my final weigh in was over! I gained about 7 lbs between that week and when I had to start my liquid diet. Just thankful that I'm still able to have surgery. I hope it works out for you! HW: 281 CW: 274 SW: TBD 8/24/17

Thank you! I hope so and will update as I can. Hang in there!

That's great! I hope my pain is low, too. I'm a wuss about pain. Keep us posted on how you're doing!