RapidFirePickle

I'm not exactly sure how long it took to get insurance approval once paperwork was submitted, because I had to postpone my surgery for four months after I qualified due to staffing constraints, job responsibilities, and lack of time off (used it up on my son's spinal surgery and on intermittent leave for a physical disability / nerve disorder). However, a colleague of mine was approved in less than two weeks. Glad to see your approval was swift! Best wishes on your journey.

My diabetes is still lingering, but I was born insulin resistant and had Type 2 diabetes at the age of 27. I only take Victoza, and that is managing it, which is WAY better that 80 units Lantus, 2000 mg Metformin, 300 mg Invokana, and Victoza. It hasn't even been three months yet, so I'm hopeful that I may kick that last medication, but I'm not too upset that after 18 years of diabetes I have one medication.

I've used coconut flour before, but I agree that you want to make sure the source manufacturer does not mill any of your allergens in the same facility.

I hope you have an easy time. More people seem to have issues with constipation than diarrhea after surgery except those with lactose or whey sensitivities, and they seem to do well on plant-protein. Best wishes!

I was diagnosed with IBS years ago and was also on metformin. During the two-week preop liquid diet I had diarrhea daily and often. Since bypass I have had zero issues. Since you are lactose sensitive, hopefully folks can point you at some plant-based protein shakes that will help reduce your risk of having upset intestines.

I don't eat cookies. I was saying that maybe having the munchies might make you eat things that are calorie rich or unhealthy, not that I felt the habits were wrong. I just don't have those particular habits so I cannot relate; I DO want you to be successful. No judgement was involved; I didn't say don't drink or smoke, I said maybe associate your drinking or smoking with non-eating behaviors. Constructive criticism, not judgement.

I was on soft foods (including chicken breast) by week 2 per my surgeon. I ate slow and chewed well, and it was fine.

At a week post-surgery I was told no more than 2 ounces of liquid every 15 minutes. As for activity, I walked a half mile the day after I got out of the hospital and I walked four miles the day after that. It truly depends on how you feel and what your activity level was like pre-surgery. Don't do anything that engages abdominal muscles like crunches or stair running, but I was walking small inclines within days after surgery.

The surgeon told me to take each step at a time and go slow, but it should be okay.

I was required to meet with a nutritionist, but they never required any kind of food log.

I am so very glad it wasn't a clot! Big hugs as you continue through your journey, and congrats on the normal labs!

I figure I'm going to shed like crazy anyway, I haven't bothered with biotin. I lost so much hair after each kid that I had visible stubble. I started going silver/white at eighteen. I've been married for twenty-three years to the same man whose been my best friend for 31 years. I'll shave my head before I worry about hair loss. Now, just because I don't give a flying flip, that doesn't mean all of you are as comfortable with hair loss as I am. Best wishes, and I hope the biotin helps.

Be proud of yourself for getting your fluid intake; for some people it's difficult to get that far. Some folks have no trouble getting enough fluids and want to progress. Rest, heal, you've got this!

I've never smoked, and I rarely drank (though for five years now I've had zero alcohol). I have nothing to offer except that it might be good to find some alternative behaviors that move you away from putting things in your mouth so you don't end up mindlessly eating. I wish you all the best.

I was missing bread too; my kids would make toast and it was torture. Then I had a piece of toast about once a week, and I'm over it. It smells good, but it doesn't taste as good as it smells. When I went to soft foods, I bought hearty pre-made soups and added baked chicken to it and let it simmer. Having a thick soup the consistency of chili made it more satisfying, and it was still soft enough to chew/mash to a pureed level. Now, my doctor had me go from full liquids that evening after surgery to soft foods at two weeks. Now at just over two months post-op I am even having some salads and crunchier foods as long as they are chewed extremely well. The other night I had broiled steak, guacumole (avocado, lime juice, onion, garlic, and diced tomato), and sauteed onions and mushrooms. Granted it was a very small plate, but you WILL get to eat real food again, and often. What you won't get to do is eat pastries, pies and other sources of sugar, but there are plenty of "sweets" that are sugar-free, like protein-rich bars, drinks, and treats. You will also be able to eat fruit, though I am very cautious of eating more than a little because of decades of diabetes. That being said, I've had strawberries, cherries, and a taste of ripe peach this summer, and I'm looking forward to some crisp apple this fall and some orange slices at Christmas. Fruit is my candy. As far as feeling full, you may not be getting enough fluids throughout the day, and thirst can often masquerade as hunger. It will get better, and it's easy to feel discouraged this early in the game.

My surgeon said calories should be between 500-800 for the first month, protein 60-80 grams. The doc should be able to clarify for you, based on your specific needs.

My surgeon had me on full liquids that afternoon, and I was on soft foods by week 2. I am finding that I still have issues with some soft foods (I just had a nasty episode with chicken that was a little too dry and some cod). I really haven't gotten too crazy yet because I still have a month of soft foods to go.

At the soft foods stage I was told 500-800 calories was about right, but it depends on a number of factors. Check with your doctor.

The hardest part for me so far is hydration; I work a job in a biohazard area that usually is fast-paced. I rarely get time to take off protective equipment, wash up, walk to the clean area, sip, walk back, put on protective equipment. I am adjusting my intake to be more before and after work, and unfortunately I am relying on protein shakes for both nutrition and fluids more than I would like (I am still on soft foods but would like to have a little more variety. As for weight loss, I am right on track.

My surgeon wouldn't let me pick up anything weighing more than 10 pounds for the first three weeks, and then he said to "work my way up" after that, but no restrictions. I'm guessing you will have similar restrictions, depending on your surgeon. Just let him know mommy has "boo-boos" (or whatever you use to explain a hurt spot) and he needs to be gentle. He should be able to snuggle up next to you fairly quickly, but wiggling around might cause discomfort.

I had my appendix out at 8 years old. I had a fever, didn't want to eat, and I could not move my right knee up to my chest because it hurt. Appendicitis can happen at any age and at any time, so it pays to get it looked at. They can image it with a CT nowadays; when I was young they just did a physical exam. get it checked out.

i just began wearing size 12 jeans. I'm pretty stoked!

I lost 11 pounds in the pre-op (2 week) diet.

I have not had any bowel issues at all since surgery; maybe someone else can help.

I'll probably grill some burgers for the family, but I'll be eating baked chicken simmered in a protein-rich soup.