EagerPenguin

No, I didn't have a biopsy. What was yours checking for?

Oh my gosh yes! Emotions can go crazy right now! I've been anywhere from irritable to elated to sobbing on the couch. This is such a stressful time, it's bound to happen. I think some of the meds given during surgery can also have an effect on your mood.

Do you still have your gallbladder? Maybe it's referred pain from an issue with that?

I really like the flintstones complete chewable vitamins. They have all the stuff my surgeon recommended in a multivitamin (but I am getting extra b12 and calcium citrate separately) and are cheaper than centrum chewables. And they come in fun shapes and flavors

I think I felt similarly to you, and that feeling really is awful. I cheated on my pre op once too. Didn't feel too great about it, which is what kept me from doing it again. Just let this bad feeling be your guide, you don't want to cheat. I think if you stick to your diet from here on out you'll be fine.

How did your first shift back go?

Are you adding spices to these things? Your menu does sound kind of bland, though at this point in my diet (I'm on clears, post op day 4) I'd take it. There's a ton of salt free options out there. I particularly like lemon garlic flavoring on chicken, and maybe the peas and carrots could use a little butter (tiny bit) and some fresh cracked black pepper, which I believe is supposed to bring out the flavor in anything. Try different kinds of cheeses or quality deli meats, mix a small amount of fruit in with your cottage cheese to liven it up, if you can tolerate fruit. Anything to liven the meal up and make it more interesting.

Oh I can't wait to add purée! Seriously. Chicken breast with spices and low fat gravy and broth, from the blender. That's what I'm looking forward to, lol.

Yours is outpatient? Yikes. I've never heard of that. Is the "MN" in your screen name Minnesota? That's where I'm from. Can I ask what hospital system? I went through Allina Health.

I'm so glad to have this forum. It's made the journey so far more bearable. I've had nausea, stomach cramps, and severe pain, all of which have finally seemed to let up a little today, post op day 3.

I really like syntrax fuzzy navel, and vanilla bean torte. Also, optimum nutrition double rich chocolate. Those are all powders. Mix the fuzzy navel with water. The other I like with milk. I've been considering combing fuzzy navel with vanilla bean for a sort of dreamscicle taste. Unflavored is also pretty useful. Add it to broth, soup, mashed potatoes (watch the carbs though), milk, etc.

Is your water cold or even cool? Try drinking luke warm water if you haven't already. I was told cold liquids can cause stomach cramps. Maybe you're getting stomach cramps with any liquids. In that case, I'd ask your doc about Levsin. It's a med to prevent the cramps, put under your tongue. My stomach cramps feel like gas, chest pressure and pain. Levsin has been a lifesaver for me.

Oh my gosh, you're so fortunate, I'm really glad for you! I've had nausea from the moment I woke up after surgery. They threw every anti-nausea med (including an anti-anxiety med that I had no idea worked for nausea) they had at me in the hospital. I also used ginger aromatherapy (provided by the hospital). The only thing that helped was the ginger briefly, and the compazine and that completely knocked me on my butt, all I could do was sleep. Now that I'm home I'm taking zofrsn around the clock, as well as a med for stomach cramps called Levsin. Luckily I've avoided vomiting except for twice.

I think my goal is close to 400. My program calls for mostly water and other sugar free clears. Protein shakes are ok though, and I think I'm only expected to get in one of those per day.

I was pretty gassy too at first. I kept up with a regimen of gas-x chewables. Seemed to help.

I totally get it. When preparing for my surgery, I started practicing the 30/30 rule (as my program calls it, avoiding liquids 30 mins before and after, as well as during meals) and there were times that I just couldn't do it. Those were foods I just learned to avoid. Another option is adding a little something like gravy or mayo, or some other kind of thick sauce, just watch the carbs and fat. But yeah, taking liquids with meals is a no go.

To break up the sweetness of the shakes and such, I've added unflavored whey protein to warm broth (no warmer than 130 F or it'll denature the protein). Your blood sugar may also be lower than you're used to. Maybe not critically low, but lower than your body typically functions at. That's my thought. My post op diet includes a limited amount of diluted 100% fruit juice. I've had a little juice and a protein shake when I'm feeling particularly weak and tired, and it perks me up a little so I feel like I can go on.

My surgeon says absolutely no nicotine. Part of the pre op prep was quitting all forms. I'd stay off the pen if you can.

I go back to work on Dec 21st. Same thing, 12 hour night shift. Not a lot of options overnight at the hospital I work at if I forget to bring something to eat! I'll be on full liquids by then, so definitely protein shakes, cream soup, runny oatmeal, jello, broth and the like. Better to be over prepared than under I suppose.

Oh my gosh, I thought I might be the only hungry one! I thought for sure that the physical hunger sensation would go away, but, in between bouts of nausea, there it is, alive and well. My boyfriend and mom are planning to make enchiladas tonight (with my blessing, why should they miss out just because of my choice to have surgery?) and I really just want a taste of the sauce, just a little bit on the tip of my finger. It's frustrating, knowing that I could stop eating at half an enchilada, because that's what I was doing before, but not being able to even take a bite right now. Maybe this is a mixture of head and physical hunger for me. Either way, I didn't expect to be this hungry.

At the hospital, post op day 1. Soooooo much nausea last night. And I had a lot of pain coming out of surgery, which took close to 3 hours because of all the scar tissue from from previously removed lapband. Pain is better today, haven't had anything for it since before 4am. Nausea is slowly getting better. I think I'm on like 4 different meds for it. Got out for a walk already. Feeling a little on the weak side, but overall thankful for this process because of what it means for the rest of my life.

My surgery is in just about 11 hours! I'm excited and nervous. Crossing my fingers things stay on schedule.

No, I'm off tomorrow. I work overnights so I took a couple days off beforehand to reset to a day schedule. I figure I'll have to be awake during the day for the next couple of weeks so I might as well get a head start!

Hey my surgery is at 11! We really are sleeve buddies, lol. I hope we don't get postponed. 4pm is a long time to wait! I go to clear liquids only all day tomorrow (been on protein shakes and other low carb low fat liquids and soft foods since Thanksgiving), then only water from midnight tomorrow until 7am Thursday.

So I got curious and tried the Syntrax unflavored with beef broth. I couldn't make it as hot as I normally like, but it's actually quite good, there weren't any clumps at all. It's a nice break from the dessert flavor shakes.