Malaika

I would definitely wait until you are at least on mushies. I thought they were gross, too, so Nina suggested that I cut them up really really small (I bought a pill cutter) and swallow them that way - it was better than dissolving them in water. As for your vitamins, if you feel you really need them now, buy some liquid; otherwise, once you're on mushies or soft solids, you can start taking them - I can't take large pills yet so I take adult gummy vitamins. If you have trouble with the large gel pills, you might want to try the gummies - I got them at Costco.

I didn't worry about the protein - I got in what I could - however, there were no protein drinks I could tolerate and I am lactose intolerant. I was more worried about staying hydrated - I worried about protein when I got to mushies. I wouldn't worry overly about the protein - get in what you can - but definitely stay hydrated - that is most important early out from surgery.

Did Dr. Aceves change his post-op diet? When he performed my surgery, I was on 10 days of clears, 10 days of fulls and then mushies. If you had your surgery on 1/5, you shouldn't be moving to fulls until the 16th, that could be why you're having trouble - the soup with tofu (did you eat the tofu?) and the atkins shake - those are not considered clear. As for the hiatal hernia repair, I had that as well and had a horrible time drinking - everything felt like it was getting stuck and it was painful. Come to find out, I was having spasms. Dr. Aceves had me stay on mushies for 6 more weeks and told me that by 6 months the spasming should dissipate. I found that if I stuck to warm liquids it helped to relax the spasms and made eating easier. You might be having the same problem. Try sticking with warm liquids, especially in the morning as you tend to be more restricted in the mornings, and see if that helps. If you absolutely have to have something cold, wait a few hours after drinking something warm and then try sucking on ice cubes or SF popsicles - they give you the cold effect but they trickle down your throat so you tend not to spasm (as much). I am now almost 7 months out and the spasming has gotten better; however, it is not entirely gone (yet). Hope this helps some.

I like A as well Tiff; however, I also like C - will be anxious to see the new do to go with the new you!

Congratulations Carolyn. Awesome results. Everyone is doing so good. Keep up the great work. I've had a rough month - so it's back on track for me today and focusing on getting my last 40 lbs. off. Onderland by my birthday - January 19th~

Happy RE-birthday Kai. You're in the best of hands ... welcome to the loser's bench!

Thanks for the welcome backs - nice to know I was missed. Also thank you all for the thoughts and prayers for my mom - she's a very lucky lady.

I tried to eat a scrambled egg the other morning - took tiny bites and chewed until there wasn't anything to chew - and it still gave me that stuck feeling ... so a friend suggested egg drop Soup. I made it last night and it was delicious - and VERY EASY. Here's the recipe I used 3 Cans reduced sodium chicken broth 3 stalks of celery (chopped) 1 pkg. soft tofu (drained; room temp) 4 eggs (whipped) I put the broth in a pan, added the celery and cut the tofu up into tiny squares. Brought all of that to a boil for 10 minutes ... turned off the heat and then swirled in the eggs to make "ribbons". I didnt finish it until about 11:30 last night, so didn't taste it. I took it for lunch today and it was VERY GOOD. I have enough for probably 5 more meals, so if you don't want that much left over, reduce recipe accordingly.

Deb, I don't think it matters - it's all so soft and if you cut it small enough it shouldn't make any difference. (Sorry for the delay in responding)

That's awesome Kai - congratulations - and it will be so great to have others on the wing with you - helps to make the days pass quicker if you can get up and visit or have someone to go walking with. Keep us posted on how you're doing when you feel up to it. (Try not to get the last room on the right - the internet reception isn't all that good)

Depends on your doctor's post-op diet - Dr. Aceves says 10 days clears, 10 days full - if you can see through those bullets, then they'd be "clear" liquids, if not, then they'd be "full" liquids -- I never tried them, as everyone said they were very sweet and I wasn't able to tolerate anything sweet following my surgery - 7 months out I still have that same issue - I don't consider it a problem though, more of a blessing! I think 9 days off work will be sufficient - I was definitely tired at the end of the day; however, I wasn't anywhere close to "passing out" or anything like that.

What a GREAT day the 19th is (lol - it's my birthday) - anyway - I had my surgery on 6/12 (a Friday) and returned to work the following Friday (I was in the hospital for 4 days/3 nights) I would have returned to work on Thursday; however, due to intestinal "issues" I decided to stick close to home. I think this was plenty of time for me - I have a desk job that does not require any heavy lifting, so I was fine with 5 days off.

Thanks all for your concerns and well wishes. My mom is doing great, considering she had to have the upper quadrant of her right lung removed. She had surgery on 12/8 and was totally released by her surgeon on 12/28 with no restrictions. She will have to see an oncologist; however because the lymph nodes came back clear and the biopsy of the lung showed the cancer had not metastisized, she will not have to undergo radiation or chemo - thank God. I was able to get her off the RX pain meds while I was there and she was handling her pain with Ibuprofen 800 and Xtra Strength Tylenol. She is planning on going back to work on 2/14. She's a remarkable woman! My car and my pride were the only things damaged in the accident. Neither myself or the other driver had any physical injuries, thank God. My car is still in the shop; however, it should be done sometime this week. It wasn't something I had planned in my schedule;however, that is why they are called accidents. Thank you all for the concern, well wishes and welcome back - I missed everyone!

I drink right up until my food comes, don't drink during my meals, and wait at least 30-45 minutes after eating before drinking. As a kid, we were never allowed to drink with our meals - my father's reasoning was that we wouldn't chew our food as well and would wash the food down - so I guess he was probably right. To prevent myself from drinking with my meals (early on, not now), I leave all beverages in the kitchen away from the table.

You have to get in your protein and your fluids - if you don't you will get dehydrated and that is not a good thing. Try sucking on SF popsicles - crystal light are really good ones. I also constantly suck on ice cubes when I am not drinking - they melt in my mouth and trickle down my throat, so I don't have the pain. You can also try drinking warm SF jello that hasn't set-up yet. If you have unflavored protein, mix it in everything you put in your mouth if possible - that will help get your protein up - I didn't worry about getting in all of my protein while I was on liquids or mushies; I did the best I could and got in as much fluids as I could - that was the main goal - to stay hydrated. Just keep liquid right by you at work if possible and sip, sip, sip ... I promise, it will get better!!!

Megan - I can't recall exactly how long it takes for the swelling to go down; however, it does and drinking should get easier. You might find that it's easier and less painful to drink warm liquids - even if it's warm water -- I still cannot drink anything super cold first thing in the morning - I stick with everything warm. Also, when I take medication before going to bed, I take it with warm water too. Did you have a hiatal hernia repaired during your surgery? If so, it may take you a little longer for the swelling to go down. Experiment with warm liquids, broths, etc. and see if they are easier for you to tolerate - you can add unflavored protein powder to them for increased protein and energy.

Tilapia is a really good fish and doesn't have a fishy taste at all - it's a white fish. We either squeeze lemon or lime on top with a little lemon pepper, then put slices on top, wrap it in foil and grill it - only takes about 6 minutes or so. Also, I spray Pam Olive Oil in a skillet, sprinkle with lemon pepper and cook it - about 3 minutes per side - then serve with veggies. I loved grilled salmon, too. Sam's Club has some frozen salmon that is blackened, indivdiually frozen, and is very tasty.

Thanks Tiff - we have friends who hunt and always have venison - I think I'll ask them if I can have some and try this recipe out - I love chili - and the fact that you do most of the cooking in the crock pot is a big plus for me.

Thanks for sharing that Tiffy - it looks wonderful - you should share your recipe.

I took Bendaryl for about 4 days because I wasn't able to sleep soundly - that seemed to help; now when/if I have trouble for a few days, I'll take Tylenol PM - it's non-addictive and it allows me to get a sound night sleep. I have found that I do need more sleep than I did before I had my surgery - I used to be able to get by on 5 hours and feel great - now I seem to require at least 6-7 to feel rested.

Marci - I ordered mine from www.vitalady.com - if you type in nectar in the "search this site" it will take you directly there. Hope this helps.

Shanda - You are looking GREAT girl - the pictures are great and you look so happy - and your future husband is one very lucky man - you two make a great looking couple. Thanks for the update and keep up the GREAT work and keep us posted. DEFINITELY want to see wedding pics!

Take measurements - when you hit a stall - take your measurements again - even though you may not see the scale moving, you will see inches lost and that should be a great motivator to you ... it's amazing how the inches seem to melt off even if the scale isn't moving - the scale will move again - so if you hit a stall - put the scale away for a week, take your measurements and don't stress over it - you will lose!

I had high BP and was on medication - the only tests that Dr. Aceves performed pre-op were complete blood panel, urinalysis, EKG and chest x-ray. The only other surgery I have ever had was a D&C and all I had done for that was a chest x-ray and EKG. I think you'll be fine and that you should have trust in your surgeon - if anything funny shows up in any of those tests, then he'll order more tests as/if necessary.

The hospital does have wifi for free, as does the resort. Cell service is hit or miss - my fiance found that if he went up on the roof he could get US service - not roaming - to be safe, you might want to get an international plan before you go and then switch back when you get home -- since my fiance was with me and he was the only one who knew about my surgery, cell phone was not an issue for me.